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Goleta's Public Engagement Commission Tasked with Increasing Participation in Local Government | Local News

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. ....

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Recruitment, Training Programs Help Increase Representation Among Women, Latino Candidates

$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.” ....

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District Election Advocates Say There's Still Work to Do to Improve Neighborhood Representation | Local News

2019
6,161
Two City Council seats (Districts 1, 2). Two more seats were uncontested and candidates were appointed (Districts 3, 6) rather than put on the ballot, to save money on the election cost
Studies from the Public Policy Institute of California and other organizations have demonstrated that even-year elections and propositions can improve turnout, and Santa Barbara’s election history shows that to be true.
The city will be moving to even-year elections in 2024, like every other city in the tri-county area, which is expected to have a larger impact on voter turnout than district elections did.
Elections for the six City Council seats are split, so three people are elected every two years. The mayor’s race is aligned with the Districts 4, 5 and 6 elections, which means every city voter can cast a ballot those years. ....

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5 Years Later, Santa Barbarans Reflect on Goals, Outcomes of Switch to District Elections

A story in Noozhawk’s Report on Santa Barbara District Elections
Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo was the first Latina to be elected to the City Council when she won her first term in 2011. She attends meetings from the mostly empty City Hall council chambers during the novel coronavirus pandemic, while other members video conference from their offices or homes. (Brooke Holland / Noozhawk photo)
By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @JECMolina
December 16, 2020
| 4:00 p.m.
[Noozhawk’s note: First in a series about Santa Barbara’s transition to district-based elections for the City Council.]
For years, Santa Barbara’s Mesa, Riviera and San Roque neighborhoods were the political power bases deciding who would serve on the City Council. ....

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