Ventura · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ventura public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City employee labor contracts
Several city employees and union leaders warned that rising healthcare costs and lagging wages are pushing workers out of Ventura. Firefighters, survey staff, housing staff, and water workers urged the council to offer a fair contract during ongoing negotiations.
City workforce vacancies and retention
The city's vacancy rate averaged 5.6% in 2025, but SEIU 721 flagged eight classifications above the 20% vacancy threshold, four-month average fill times, and 99 separations since 2023 — with contract negotiations coming this year.
FY 2027 city budget
The five-year outlook shows a projected deficit around FY 2029 tied to the SAFER grant match for 13 firefighter positions, and just $167,000 of FY 2027 general fund is unallocated without cutting services.
District-based appointments and advisory board overhaul
Starting January 2027, each council member would nominate one member to each city board, replacing the public ARC interview process. The council also backed a new environmental standing committee and renamed bodies as commissions.
Proposed 1% sales tax measure for November 2026 ballot
The council fell one vote short of putting a 1% sales tax — roughly $36 million a year — on the November ballot. Supporters said streets, parks, and fire staffing need the money; opponents said the city must show budget discipline and an economic development plan first.
Potential half-cent sales tax ballot measure
A second survey shows 51-60% likely support for a general sales tax, just above the 50% needed. Streets and roads topped resident priorities, fueling debate over whether the tax should be general or earmarked.
Public art funding from water ratepayer funds
The council moved to permanently end the 2% public art set-aside from water and sewer capital projects, citing rate affordability and Prop 218 legal risk — about $2.8 million would otherwise come from the Ventura Water Pure project. Arts supporters urged the council to keep the 30-year-old program alive for other projects.
User and Regulatory Fee Increases
The city updated nearly 500 fees, with the short-term rental renewal fee jumping from $725 to $1,526 — a 210% increase that split the council. Most fees rise only 1-5%.
Advisory bodies restructuring
Councilmember Mangone previewed the ad hoc committee's recommendations: district-based appointments, renaming groups as commissions, planning commission taking on design review, and a package due to the full council in late June.
Charter Amendments: Mayor's Term and Measure P Revisit
The council is weighing whether to shorten the mayor's term from two years to one year and redo the failed 2024 Measure P charter changes — but at $81,000 per ballot measure and with a sales tax measure also planned, members opted to send it all to the rules committee, with several pushing for a full charter review committee targeting 2028.
City finances: clean audit but $26.4M general fund dip
Ventura's FY 2024-25 audit came back clean, but the general fund balance dropped from $61.4M to $35M — mostly one-time spending like an $8M CalPERS payment, storm repairs, and a closed golf course. The CFO says revenues are rebounding and no alarm bells needed.
Senior services program transition
The county stops running the senior services program in June, and the state will issue an RFP for a new local operator. Councilmember Duran wants the council more involved in meeting the organizations it ends up endorsing.