Council adopts Measure A five-year street program; staff warns citywide pavement index remains "at risk" without additional funding

The City Council on March 18 adopted the Measure A five-year local program of projects and Resolution No. 6743 to access street-maintenance funds for fiscal years 2026–2030, approving staff’s recommended project list and budgeting approach.

Public Works staff explained that Lompoc’s current citywide pavement condition index (PCI) is 54 and that industry guidance aims for a PCI of about 70. The department presented a 10-year forecast showing that, under a cost-effective capital strategy, spending roughly $3 million per year on pavement rehabilitation could raise the PCI to the industry target over approximately nine to ten years. By contrast, a lower spending pattern would allow the index to decline toward the mid-30s.

“Measure A is our largest source of road revenue,” staff said, noting the city mixes capital projects — deeper repairs and cape seals — with routine operations such as patching, sidewalk repairs and tree maintenance. Staff told the council the city’s road needs exceed available revenues and that operations must be balanced against capital investments.

Council and the public asked detailed questions about pavement funding, including how much additional annual spending would be required to improve conditions and the role of discretionary right-of-way maintenance funds. Staff said recent creative budgeting has used enterprise funds to increase right-of-way maintenance to about $2.3 million in 2025–26 and that, combined with Measure A and other resources, the city projects roughly $3 million per year for pavement capital in the near term.

Speakers from the public stressed the safety and economic impacts of poor roads and asked for prioritization of arterials, alleys and sidewalks. Staff noted arterials experience higher truck traffic and faster deterioration and that alleys in Lompoc have a very low PCI (reported at about 29). Council members asked for clearer budget linking when the fiscal-year budget is presented and for follow-up showing whether the $3 million pavement capital target is being met.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, Councilmember Bridge moved and Councilmember Ball seconded adoption of the Measure A program and resolution; the motion passed 5–0.

Staff materials attached to the resolution list specific capital and operations projects, an alternative-transportation allocation (Measure A requires 15 percent for sidewalks/bike projects), and tables showing past and proposed expenditures. Staff said the program of projects is required for the city to receive its Measure A allocation beginning July 1, and that adopting tonight’s program enables the city to move forward with planned projects and contract procurement.