Santa Paula council approves Measure R oversight committee guidelines, clarifies membership and meeting frequency

The Santa Paula City Council unanimously approved guidelines on March 19 creating a five‑member oversight committee to review spending from Measure R, the local transaction-and-use tax voters approved to fund street and infrastructure work.

Council action clarified the committee’s composition and meeting rules after public commenters urged more frequent meetings. The council amended the draft to specify the committee “shall consist of five members, one member from each district,” and added wording that the committee may meet as needed — including in the fall for an audit and in the spring following publication of the proposed budget — so it is not limited to only two meetings a year.

The change to composition removed a drafting error in the published document that could have been read as creating 25 members (five from each of five districts). The council also approved language stating that if a district seat is not filled, the council may appoint a member at large.

Public commenters who identified themselves with local community group Causa and other neighborhood organizations repeatedly asked the council to require the committee to meet at least quarterly so residents have predictable opportunities to review spending and priorities. Staff and the mayor told speakers that the adopted guidelines allow more frequent meetings: the committee “shall meet at such times as the chairperson of the committee deems appropriate in order to fulfill the duties of the committee,” amended to include the phrase “as needed.” Councilmembers said the change preserves flexibility while allowing the oversight body to call extra meetings when warranted.

The council voted to approve the redlined version of Item 10E as amended. The motion carried unanimously; no roll-call dissent was recorded. Staff said they would begin recruitment immediately and that applications for the Measure R Oversight Committee are due to the city clerk by April 7.

What the committee will do: the adopted guidelines direct the oversight body to review Measure R revenues and expenditures, prepare an annual independent report, and hold at least the minimum meetings tied to the budget and audit cycle. Staff emphasized the new text establishes minimum meeting touchpoints (audit in the fall; review after the proposed budget is published in spring) but does not prevent additional or interim meetings called by the chair or city staff.

Next steps: staff will publish the committee application, accept appointments, and return to the council and the new oversight committee with schedules and materials. Council members said they expect to revisit the guidelines after the committee begins meeting if further refinements are needed.

Votes at a glance: The council approved the Measure R Oversight Committee guidelines (Item 10E, as amended). The motion to approve as amended passed unanimously.

Ending: The council’s action sets a formal public-review process for Measure R spending while preserving flexibility for extra meetings; community advocates said they will monitor the timing of meetings and return if they believe quarterly meetings are necessary.