Paso Robles staff outlines draft two‑year goals; council asks for workshop as Mayor Hammond announces he will not seek re‑election

City staff on April 7 presented a consolidated draft of strategic goals and near‑term initiatives intended to guide the 2026–2028 biennial budget and implementation.

Assistant City Manager David Malowitz and departments outlined six priority goal areas: (1) facilities, transportation and infrastructure (including a five‑year roadway treatment plan and traffic‑signal and storm‑water projects); (2) public safety and emergency services (training facility and police accreditation); (3) housing and homelessness response; (4) cultural, recreation and open spaces (parks master plan and athletic field capacity); (5) community and economic development (workforce, downtown beautification and aerospace/spaceport initiatives); and (6) efficient and effective governance (digital accessibility, AI/cybersecurity, and HR modernization).

Members of the public — including child‑care advocates and county early‑care partners — urged council to add explicit childcare and family‑friendly workplace initiatives to the economic and workforce sections. Several council members emphasized prioritizing road repairs and Measure I/I24 implementation while also asking staff to produce a concise, prioritized version of the goals and to hold a follow‑up workshop so council could dig into cost and timing.

The council agreed to continue refining the document and set outreach and next steps; staff said they will schedule a dedicated workshop and return with a refined copy ahead of final budget adoption. In a separate announcement near the end of the meeting, Mayor John Hammond told the council he will not seek re‑election, saying he plans to step back from public office after decades of service.