As Mayor, I am deeply committed to the health of our community and the health of our economy. I initiated a public outreach campaign to ensure your voice is heard as we make decisions about the future of Atascadero. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. With your support, I will continue the work of building a strong, balanced economy, sustaining fiscal stewardship, and strengthening the connection between you and our City.

I worked as a CPA for KPMG, auditing the financial statements for small and large clients, ranging from companies with under $500M in annual revenue to large, publicly traded companies. As a manager at the firm, I directed audit teams, coordinated with the tax and consulting departments, and was the point person for both clients and the firm’s partners. Later, I worked as the Controller for Paranetics Technology, an Arizona-based company that manufactured cargo parachutes for the US military, responsible for tens of millions of dollars in revenue and a range of human resource functions for 100+ employees.

As a small business owner, I understand the challenges our local businesses face doing business in California. Since moving to Atascadero in 2004 with my husband Mike, I’ve actively supported initiatives in our community to promote a positive business climate and protect homeowner’s property rights, both off and on the City Council.

I was appointed to our City’s Planning Commission in 2008, serving as Chairperson in 2010. I became an Atascadero City Councilwoman in 2012 and served as Mayor Pro-Tem during 2015-2016. I serve on the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, Regional Transit Authority, and SLO County Economic Vitality Corporation. Since 2012, I have also served on the Design Review Committee and as Chair of the City’s Finance Committee for three budget cycles.

I have the leadership experience our City needs at this challenging time.

I believe when we serve our community, we prosper together. Atascadero’s thriving volunteer spirit and strong community partnerships are key to keeping our City vibrant. That’s why, like countless others in Atascadero, I am a dedicated community volunteer. 

I am committed to preserving the uniqueness of Atascadero, which means working to protect local control. I am for accountability, decision making and power at our local level. I believe we should bring back accountable decisions for our communities to the level where people live and are most effected by those decisions.

Fiscal responsibility is key. The City’s money is the people’s money and every decision I make is guided by that principle.

I believe that the private sector and non-profits often provide better support for those most in need, and do it more cost effectively, than government can. As Mayor, I believe that if we want to truly help individuals in need, we should support these efforts in ways that we are best equipped to do (e.g. grant funding, facilitating cooperation between agencies and non-profits, land use and other related policies).

I support our police. Our officers need to know we have their back. Some in the “Defund” movement propose diverting funds from public safety into social services. I oppose taking funding from our police; rather, Atascadero must increase police funding so that we have sufficient capacity to serve our growing population and maintain our quality of life. Currently, our City partners with the County, embedding mental health and crisis workers with law enforcement to help get people off the streets and into housing, and I support seeking funding to expand this effort.

I believe that an informed and engaged citizenry leads to better government, which is why I proposed the City’s Talk on the Block initiative in partnership with the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. These gatherings provided a casual, comfortable environment for citizens to meet City Council Members and City staff in their own neighborhoods, to talk about City operations, ask questions and provide feedback. The more we engage, the better our City.

Ultimately, I am for smaller, more efficient government. I think we need to regularly look at what we’re doing to see if it still makes sense. Government is different from business, for good reason, but we can learn and implement business practices to gain efficiencies and better serve our constituents.

Born and raised in Atascadero, Josh Donovan is a true entrepreneur passionate about business, leadership and people. He is a United States Marine Corps Veteran, has a B.S. in Organizational Management and is certified as an Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. He serves as CEO of two companies, is a business consultant, executive coach and co-hosts the podcast All Things Atascadero. Josh will tell you that his most important roles in life are being a husband and a father to his three daughters. Modeling integrity and humility through service above self are top priorities, which is why he has always dedicated significant amounts of time and energy serving the community of Atascadero. Coaching & Consulting provide opportunities to invest in the lives of others, personally and professionally, fulfilling Josh’s ultimate purpose.
Our city is struggling with its ability to accomplish the basics or listen to its own people. Atascadero maintains a notorious reputation for being difficult to work with, scaring away business and good-paying jobs from our community. We deserve a business-friendly Atascadero, with leadership that is willing to listen and take appropriate action, not bureaucrats. We deserve a Stronger Atascadero and that is what Josh will deliver.