Goleta has opportunities for community members to get involved in their city government; two of the openings are specifically for local youth. Kyle Yao is
Goleta’s Public Engagement Commission Tasked with Increasing Participation in Local Government
The commission, created as part of the switch to district elections, recommended boosting council pay and scheduling meetings at night
When the Goleta City Council adopted a resolution changing to district elections, it also created a Public Engagement Commission. (Brooke Holland / Noozhawk photo) By Brooke Holland, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @BT Holland
December 26, 2020
| 6:13 p.m.
[Noozhawk’s note: This story is part of a series about Santa Barbara’s switch to district-based elections for the City Council.]
Santa Barbara was the first local city to hold district-based City Council elections, but when neighboring Goleta approved the change in 2017, the City Council also created a commission to recommend ways to increase participation in local government.
$1,800
Serving on a commission or board can be a great opportunity for residents to help their community, but many people may not be able to afford the time commitment Reyes-Martín said.
The five members of the County Board of Supervisors receive a salary of about $103,000, and City Council salaries range from $1,800 in Guadalupe to about $45,000 in Santa Barbara.
Most school boards, special districts and city commissions pay members small stipends, if they get paid at all.
According go the National League of Cities, the “average number of hours spent per week on council-related matters in small, medium and large cities is 20, 25 and 42, respectively.”