FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2026
Santa Maria Public Airport District Application Period for Division 1 Board Vacancy
SANTA MARIA, Calif. — The Santa Maria Public Airport District (“District”) is extending the application period for the vacant Division 1 seat on its Board of Directors, created by the resignation of Director Charles (“Chuck”) Adams. The Board has not yet acted to fill the seat and is reopening the application window to give additional eligible residents the opportunity to apply before it does.
The Board was notified of the vacancy on May 28, 2026. The District initially accepted letters of interest through June 22, 2026, but the Board has not yet made an appointment. Under the extended timeline, the District will now accept applications through 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026. Applicants who already submitted a letter of interest during the initial window do not need to reapply — those letters remain on file for the Board’s consideration.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1780, the Board must act to fill the vacancy — either by appointment or by calling a special election — no later than July 27, 2026, which is 60 days after the Board was notified of the vacancy. The Board intends to consider the appointment at its regular meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., the District’s last regularly scheduled meeting before the statutory deadline. If the Board does not appoint a qualified applicant, it may instead call a special election to fill the seat.
To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of Division 1 and a registered voter of the District, and must be able to attend regular Board meetings held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Eligible residents may apply by submitting a brief letter of interest — including a statement of eligibility and any relevant experience or qualifications — by email to [email protected], or in person during regular business hours at the District office, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455.
If the Board appoints a replacement, the appointee will serve only until the results of the District’s next general election on November 3, 2026 are certified. An election for the remainder of the Division 1 term, which runs through 2028, will be conducted at that November 3, 2026 general District election.