The Santa Paula City Council approved a first amendment on Aug. 5 to the intergovernmental agreement providing operational funding to Spirit of Santa Paula (the navigation center), including a $30,000.08 budget allocation to cover the city’s recalibrated share of costs.

Community and Economic Development Director James Mason told council the original 2023 agreement among Santa Paula, Fillmore and Ventura County had contemplated a $288,000 annual commitment shared among the partners; the city’s adopted budgets had carried $200,000 per year for recent years. After accounting for actual expenditures, changing circumstances and county recalculations, the amended allocation rebalances the partners’ contributions to align commitments with what was actually spent. The amendment increases the city’s obligation above the adopted $200,000 level by the requested $30,000.08, split as two $15,000 adjustments covering the past two fiscal years.

City Manager Dan Singer and Mason said the county and partner cities will continue negotiations about funding for subsequent years and that Spirit and the partners will need to reach a new agreement covering ongoing operations. Mason noted the county intends to reimburse certain earlier payments so the amendment brings the accounting into alignment.

Spirit of Santa Paula’s Veronica, speaking for the shelter, thanked the council and said the center remained at capacity: “Currently, we have a full navigation center. We have a full house right now including 10 kids, 2 dogs, and 3 cats,” she said, adding that predictable payment timing from the city is important for operations.

Council voted to approve the staff recommendation and the corresponding budget allocation. The council majority also asked staff to pursue additional funding sources and to ensure clearer schedules for reimbursements to Spirit as partners negotiate funding for future years.

Why it matters: the navigation center provides shelter and case management to people experiencing homelessness in the Heritage Valley; the amendment addresses a shortfall to keep operations running while partners finalize multi‑year funding arrangements.

What’s next: staff will pursue negotiations with the county and partners on a multi‑year funding plan and report back to council as requested.