In 2026, the official in charge of Santa Paula is the 123rd Mayor of Santa Paula, Carlos Juarez, who was appointed by a unanimous vote of the City Council on December 10, 2025. Jenny Crosswhite is Vice Mayor. The City of Santa Paula has a five-member City Council to establish City policy, and an appointed City Manager to oversee day-to-day operations. The City was in Ventura County and had an estimated population of ~30,000. The official city website is spcity.org for the latest contact details and meeting agendas.
Key Takeaways
- In 2026, Carlos Juarez will be the 123rd Mayor of Santa Paula, CA, serving his second term as Mayor, appointed on December 10, 2025.
- Jenny Crosswhite is the Vice Mayor for the year of 2026, and was appointed at the same council meeting on December 10, 2025.
- The City of Santa Paula is a City Council-City Manager government type, where the City Council is the policy making agency, and the City Manager is a day-to-day administrative officer.
- There are 5 members of the City Council elected for 4 year terms. In 2024, Santa Paula switched from at-large elections to by-district elections, with a new map of the five districts.
- The Mayor and Vice Mayor are appointed each December by the full City Council from among the five councilors, and are not elected by the voters.
- On January 12, 2026, Deputy City Manager Aminah Mears, DPA, will assume the role of City Manager.
- The City Clerk is the City’s chief elections official and is elected to a four-year term. The City Treasurer is the City’s chief investment officer.
- All city officials are listed on the official city of Santa Paula website at spcity.org, which also includes agendas and minutes of meetings.
Who will be the Mayor of Santa Paula, CA in 2026?
Carlos Juarez is the Mayor of Santa Paula for 2026. By unanimous vote of the City Council, he was appointed to the position at the annual reorganization of City Council leadership meeting on December 10, 2025.
Mayor Juarez starts his second term as Mayor, as the 123rd Mayor of Santa Paula, according to the official Santa Paula city website (spcity.org). In taking up the office, Mayor Juarez thanked the people who make the City’s work possible: Volunteers and City staff from the elected Council to the executive team who invest their time, energy and heart in supporting the Council and serving the community.
Prior to his time on City Council, Mayor Juarez spent more than 27 years with the Santa Paula Police Department where he retired as Lieutenant and commanded the Support Division. Mayor Juarez is a longtime resident and active member of the community, bringing with him broad experience and knowledge in the public-safety field.
The December 2025 meeting at which Juarez was appointed was also a celebration of the outgoing mayor, Chavez, who became the first openly gay Mayor in both Santa Paula and Ventura County. Community members praised his efforts to be transparent, inclusive, and to raise civic involvement throughout Santa Paula.
Vice Mayor: Jenny Crosswhite
Jenny Crosswhite is the Vice Mayor of Santa Paula for 2026. The Vice Mayor is appointed by the City Council at the same time as the Mayor, at the annual meeting of the City Council in December, and is appointed for a term of one year. The Vice Mayor is responsible for presiding at Council meetings when the Mayor is not in attendance, and is a full voting member of Council in all decisions.
The organization of Santa Paula’s Government
The City of Santa Paula operates under a Council-Manager form of government, the most prevalent form of municipal government in the state of California. Under this system:
- The City Council is the elected legislative and policy-making body.
- The City Manager is appointed by the Council to carry out the policy and to run the day-to-day affairs of the City.
- The Mayor presides over Council meetings, and is the City Council’s spokesperson, but otherwise has equal voting power with the other four council members.
This is a system of political leadership and administrative management. The City Manager is a professional administrator who is appointed by and reports to the Council, and not elected by the public.
The City Council: Role and Powers
The City Council is the City’s policy-making body, acting on all legislative matters, such as the approval and adoption of all City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and matters that require policy decision and leadership. The Council hears public comments and considers proposals that respond to community needs, and make use of limited resources and priorities.
The City Council:
- Signs the annual budget of the City of Norwalk
- Complies with city ordinances and resolutions
- Funds city services and infrastructure through awards
- Bears ultimate responsibility for city policies
- Designates the City Manager, City Attorney and other critical staff
- Conducts public meetings regularly to which residents are invited to be part of city governance
City Council Meetings
The Santa Paula City Council meets regularly with the public. The city’s official website (spcity.org) publishes agendas, minutes, and video recordings of meetings. Membership is open to the public and a link to meeting materials is available online. Public comment periods are provided for the public to speak directly to the Council on any item on the agenda or on any other city matter.
The Five-District Election System
The City of Santa Paula recently had a major shift in their election of City Council members. According to the official districting page at spcity.org, on March 15, 2023, the Santa Paula City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1327, implementing a by-district election system of five City Councilmembers.
This change was adopted following receipt of a letter in February 2022 to the City by a party challenging the at-large election system under the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City changed from at-large elections (all voters city-wide vote for all candidates) to district elections (all voters vote for one candidate in their district only) to meet the requirements of the CVRA and to avoid potential legal liability.
This five-district map was adopted following a thorough input process with the community, and the sequence of elections was determined as follows.
- Districts 1 and 5: Up for election in 2024
- Districts 2, 3, and 4: Up for election in 2026
The Mayor and Vice Mayor will continue to be elected by the Council each December, irrespective of their district of residence, for a one-year term.
City Administration: The City Manager and Key Officials
The City Manager implements the policies and conducts the day-to-day business of the City, while the City Council determines policy. The City Manager is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council, according to the Administration page at spcity.org. The City Manager will implement the laws and enforce the policies and programs adopted by the City Council. The City Manager appoints department heads and has administrative control of all city departments.
The City Manager’s office also oversees the Mobile Home Space Rent Stabilization Program, management information systems, risk management, and personnel and employee relations.
Deputy City Manager: Darryl Shatford
According to the official Santa Paula city website, the City of Santa Paula announced the appointment of Aminah Mears, DPA, as the City’s new Deputy City Manager, effective Monday, January 12, 2026. The Deputy City Manager supports the City Manager in managing City operations and leading departments.
Other Key Appointed Officials
| Position | Role | How Selected |
| City Manager | Chief executive officer for day-to-day operations | Appointed by City Council |
| City Attorney | Chief legal officer | Appointed by City Council |
| City Clerk | Secretary to Council, chief elections official | Elected for 4-year term |
| City Treasurer | Chief investment officer | Elected for 4-year term |
| Department Heads | Lead individual city departments | Appointed by City Manager |
| Deputy City Manager | Assists City Manager | Appointed |
Santa Paula City Council: Recent Decisions (2026)
According to official city announcements on spcity.org, the Santa Paula City Council has been busy on several major issues in 2026.
2026 Citywide Street Maintenance Project
The City of Santa Paula has approved a large-scale 2026 Citywide Street Maintenance Project, which is one of the first large-scale infrastructure projects funded by Measure R, according to the official city newsflash. This project is a direct investment in safer, more reliable streets and an example of Measure R money being reinvested in the community,” said Mayor Carlos Juarez.
In November 2024, Santa Paula voters approved Measure R, which will generate extra local revenue to support vital City programs and services, including infrastructure projects, street maintenance, public safety response, keeping local businesses in town, and other critical programs.
Solid Waste Rate Adjustment
On June 17, 2026, the City of Santa Paula approved three consecutive annual 1% residential and commercial solid waste collection rate increases, effective October 1, 2026.
City Manager Assessment
The Santa Paula City Council recently reviewed the City Manager position and recognized that one of the most important decisions a locally elected Council makes as part of their governance and oversight is hiring and retaining the City Manager, according to the official city website.
How to Contact Santa Paula City Officials
If you are a resident and wish to communicate with the City or to be involved in City government:
| Contact Method | Details |
| Official City Website | spcity.org |
| City Hall Address | Santa Paula City Hall, 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 |
| General Information | Available through spcity.org contact directory |
| City Council Meetings | Agendas and schedules at spcity.org |
| Public Comment | In-person at meetings or written submissions through the City Clerk |
| City Clerk | Chief elections official, available through city hall |
The city also provides its residents with news and updates via the city’s own website, which has a newsflash section that posts information about city projects, meetings, and official decisions as they happen.
Santa Paula: City Background and Context
Santa Paula is a city in Ventura County, California, in the valley of the Santa Clara River, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It is the “Citrus Capital of the World” for its historical importance to the California citrus industry and it still has strong agricultural and historical character that sets it apart from larger communities in Ventura County.
The city’s government has successfully weathered a number of transitions over the past few years – including shifting to district elections, making substantial investments in infrastructure with Measure R and continuity of leadership with its annual mayoral reorganization. The community’s focus on public safety and institutional experience is reflected in the appointment of Carlos Juarez as Mayor for 2026, who has a background in the police.
The way local governance structures establish clear chains of authority and accountability is a consistent feature of effective municipal government. In the guide to who is the CEO of Gisou, the board to operational handoff illustrates a deliberate process of appointing and enabling the right individual to fill a leadership position at the right time – a process similar to that of the City Council selecting and overseeing its leadership each year.
In the civic context of who is in charge of District 14 Los Angeles, a Los Angeles City Council seat’s leadership transition had community implications, as do the questions that residents of Santa Paula face with their City Council.
Santa Paula City Officials Quick Reference 2026
| Position | Name | Notes |
| Mayor | Carlos Juarez | 123rd Mayor of Santa Paula, former SPPD Lieutenant |
| Vice Mayor | Jenny Crosswhite | Appointed December 10, 2025 |
| City Council | 5 members total | Now by-district elections |
| Deputy City Manager | Aminah Mears, DPA | Appointed January 12, 2026 |
| City Manager | (Check spcity.org for current name) | Appointed by City Council |
| City Attorney | (Check spcity.org for current name) | Appointed by City Council |
| City Clerk | (Elected) | Chief elections official |
| City Treasurer | (Elected) | Chief investment officer |
| Official Website | spcity.org | All current staff and agendas |
Conclusion
Mayor Carlos Juarez of Santa Paula, CA will serve as the city’s mayor for the 123rd time, and the 2nd time for Mayor Juarez, in 2026, when the City Council votes unanimously on December 10, 2025, to elect him to the position. Jenny Crosswhite is the Vice Mayor. Under a Council-Manager form of government, the full five-member City Council serves as the city’s policy-making body, and the City Manager is responsible for the administration of city operations.
Santa Paula’s recent move to by-district elections, its passage of Measure R infrastructure funding in November 2024, and its current investments in infrastructure and administration in 2026 are all indicative of a city government that is actively grappling with major change and staying true to the community priorities that were put to the voters.
The official city of Santa Paula website, spcity.org, is the best source for the latest information on city officials, meeting agendas and city services. All city departments and elected officials are listed there and the information is updated when there are changes in city leadership.
To learn more about local government, civic leadership, and California municipal governance, dig into all of Shani Levni’s content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the official that oversees Santa Paula, CA?
In 2026, Carlos Juarez will be the Mayor of Santa Paula, CA, where he will be the city’s chief elected official and spokesperson. He was unanimously appointed by the City Council on December 10, 2025. The city also has a City Manager appointed by the Council to oversee day-to-day administration.
In 2026, who will be the Mayor of Santa Paula?
In 2026, Carlos Juarez will be the Mayor of Santa Paula. He is the 123rd Mayor of the City’s history and his second term as Mayor. Prior to becoming a councilor, he retired as a Lieutenant from the Santa Paula Police Department after 27 years of service.
In 2026, who will be Vice Mayor of Santa Paula?
Jenny Crosswhite is the Vice Mayor of Santa Paula for 2026. She was appointed at the City Council meeting on December 10, 2025, at the same time that Carlos Juarez was appointed Mayor.
How does Santa Paula select its Mayor?
The mayor of Santa Paula is not directly elected by the voters. Rather, the Mayor and Vice Mayor are chosen by the five-member City Council at the annual reorganization meeting in December. The elected Mayor and Vice Mayor are elected for a one-year term.
How many council members are there in Santa Paula?
Santa Paula has a five-member City Council. The members are elected for a four-year term, staggered. In March 2023, Santa Paula adopted Ordinance No. 1327, which changed the at-large election system to a 5-district by-district election system for the November 2024 election and beyond.
What is the best way to reach out to the City of Santa Paula?
The City of Santa Paula’s official city website, spcity.org, contains contact information for all city departments, staff directories and information about City Council members. City Hall is at 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060. The meetings of the City Council are open to the public and agendas are posted on the City’s website prior to each meeting.
What is the City Manager’s role in Santa Paula? The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and acts as the chief administrator of the City and implements the policies of the City Council. The City Manager hires department heads and has administrative oversight over all city departments. The City Manager is a professional administrator, not an elected official, as is the Mayor and City Council.