Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Atascadero Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · Unopposed

Charles BourbeauIncumbentAtascadero's mayor, first elected to the City Council in 2016 after two years on the Planning Commission. He spent almost 30 years as a full-time officer in the Army National Guard in federal financial management, logistics, and contracting.7sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters citywide elect the mayor and two council members; the other two council members are not on this ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Mayor Charles Bourbeau is the only candidate for mayor. City of Atascadero, Candidates & Committees

Council Member Heather Newsom is not seeking reelection, leaving her seat open. New Times SLO, Atascadero council race draws four candidates for two seats · Sep 24, 2026

Mike Avila did not respond to The Tribune's request for comment for its voter guide. The Tribune, Voter Guide

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Mark DarizMayor Pro Tem and Council Member; term 2024-20285sourced Seth PeekCouncil Member; term 2024-20285sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing and growth, Retail cannabis, Sewer rates and the wastewater plant Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins at the SLO Elections Office

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Housing and growth

Where it standsThe council has a new 2045 General Plan and a comprehensive zoning code update before it, and has put city housing funds into an affordable project.

What's on the tableHow quickly and where new housing is approved, and whether the city keeps using its housing funds for affordable projects.

The Sept. 22, 2026 council agenda listed adoption of the 2045 General Plan and its final environmental report. Atascadero City Council agenda, September 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026
On Sept. 8, 2026 the council reviewed the final comprehensive draft of the Citywide Zoning Code Update. Atascadero City Council draft minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
In October 2025 the council voted 5-0 to appropriate $527,573 in in-lieu housing funds for the Del Rio Ridge affordable housing project loan. Atascadero City Council minutes, October 14, 2025 · Oct 14, 2025

Retail cannabis

Where it standsThe council directed staff in October 2025 not to move forward with changes to the cannabis ordinance.

What's on the tableWhether to reopen the question of allowing retail cannabis stores.

Staff estimated that adding one or more retail cannabis stores could potentially bring in $500,000 a year in sales tax revenue. Atascadero City Council minutes, October 14, 2025 · Oct 14, 2025
The council voted 3-2 on Oct. 14, 2025 to direct staff not to move forward with any changes to the cannabis ordinance. Atascadero City Council minutes, October 14, 2025 · Oct 14, 2025

Sewer rates and the wastewater plant

Where it standsThe council approved higher sewer rates in May 2026, and the city has hired an engineering firm to design a replacement water reclamation facility.

What's on the tableFurther design phases, spending and rates for the water reclamation facility replacement.

In May 2026 no majority protest was received and the council voted 5-0 to approve the proposed wastewater rates. Atascadero City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
Staff estimated the rate increase would generate about $1,061,000 more than the prior year's sewer service charge revenue. Atascadero City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
In November 2025 the council voted 5-0 to award Black & Veatch a design engineering agreement of up to $9,749,491 for the water reclamation facility replacement. Atascadero City Council minutes, November 12, 2025 · Nov 12, 2025

Homelessness and ECHO

Where it standsThe city works with the ECHO shelter, a county Community Action Team and its police department on homelessness.

What's on the tableCity funding and support for shelter capacity and services.

ECHO's Atascadero location now has 160 beds, and its waitlist remains months long. The Tribune, Atascadero candidates weigh in on homelessness efforts
The Atascadero and Paso Robles city councils approved a 90-day program that guarantees a bed for 90 days to people engaged with housing navigation and case management. The Tribune, Atascadero candidates weigh in on homelessness efforts

Countywide ambulance service and transportation tax

Where it standsThe council backed a joint city bid for the county ambulance contract and approved a regional transportation spending plan.

What's on the tableHow Atascadero takes part in countywide ambulance and transportation decisions.

On Sept. 8, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to adopt Resolution 2026-060 supporting a Paso Robles bid, on behalf of all cities, for the county ambulance contract. Atascadero City Council draft minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Staff said approving the SLOCOG transportation expenditure plan could let the city receive over $2 million a year if a sales tax measure moves forward and passes. Atascadero City Council minutes, February 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. What should Atascadero do about housing supply?
2. How should the city use its in-lieu affordable housing funds?
3. Should Atascadero allow retail cannabis stores?
4. Should Atascadero raise sewer rates?
5. Should Atascadero back the Paso Robles-led joint bid for the county ambulance contract?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Ballots begin mailingSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionSep 30, 2026
Drop boxes openSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 1, 2026
Early voting begins at the SLO Elections OfficeSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote onlineSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Atascadero satellite Elections Office opensSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 26, 2026
Election DayCity of Atascadero, 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Mark Dariz, Seth Peek3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The City Council has five members, a mayor and four council members, elected at large; the mayor serves a two-year term and council members serve four-year overlapping terms. City of Atascadero, Mayor, Council & Treasurer
The November 3, 2026 election is for one mayor for a two-year term and two council members for four-year terms. City of Atascadero, 2026 General Election

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