Committee recommends levying Waterways Maintenance District assessments for FY25–26; Star objects over voter approval

The Oxnard City Finance & Governance Committee on May 27 recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution to levy maintenance assessments in the Waterways Maintenance District for fiscal year 2025–26.

The committee took the action after staff presented the proposed assessment and confirmed there were no public speakers either in person or virtually on the item. When asked about the consequences of not adopting the resolution, staff replied: "The direct consequence of the council not voting to adopt the assessment would be that an assessment would be levied. That would be the initial consequence," reflecting staff's explanation of the statutory levy process.

Committee member Star stated she would vote no at the council level unless registered voters in the district had been given an opportunity to approve the assessment in a general election: "So when the time comes for vote, I'll be voting no on this recommendation because at no point have the registered voters in this district been given the opportunity to approve this tax in a general election," she said.

Following brief discussion and the committee's motion to recommend adoption, the committee recorded a 2'to—1 vote, with Star voting no. The committee's recommendation will go to the City Council for a public hearing and final action.

Staff noted the item was presented by Public Works and that there were no public speakers on the record for the committee meeting.