Council adopts ordinance narrowing city treasurer duties after appellate ruling; vote 6-1

The Oxnard City Council adopted an ordinance on March 4 transferring specified collection and payment duties previously performed by the elected city treasurer to city staff and the chief of police, a move the council says complies with an appellate court decision. The ordinance passed 6-1, with Councilmember Aaron Starr voting no.

Why it matters: The change alters the practical responsibilities of a locally elected official and follows prolonged dispute and litigation over the treasurer’s role. Supporters say it aligns the code with the appeals court’s narrow ruling; opponents and the treasurer say it removes oversight and was unfair.

What was adopted: The ordinance amends local code to move duties “relating to the collection of fees and taxes” and certain payment procedures away from the city treasurer and to allocate those duties to the police chief or assistant treasurer and other staff as described in the ordinance. City staff said the change is meant to implement the appellate court’s direction while keeping the treasurer’s statutory duties intact.

Debate and public comment: The item drew sustained debate and multiple public speakers. City Treasurer Phil Molina spoke at length, saying he lacked current staff access and systems to perform the remaining statutory duties and that he was considering legal options. “No. I do not,” Molina said when asked if he currently had the access and resources required to perform the remaining treasurer duties; he then listed specific statutory duties, such as monthly reports and custody of receipts, and the resources he said he needed.

Supporters of the ordinance, including the city attorney and other council members, said the ordinance implements what the appeals court allowed and does not remove the treasurer from office. The city attorney said adopting the ordinance “makes no more or less changes that the appellate court said the city council was allowed to do.” Speaker Deirdre Frank, an attorney, urged adoption, saying the city must protect employees and comply with the court order. Opponents argued the process did not give Molina adequate opportunity to challenge evidence in personnel investigations and said the measure undercuts a voter-elected officer.

Vote and outcome: The ordinance passed on the second-reading action recorded at the meeting with a 6-1 tally: yes — Mayor MacArthur, Councilwoman Rodriguez, Councilmember Perillo, Mayor Pro Tem Turan, Councilwoman Basua, Councilwoman Perez; no — Councilman Starr. Councilmembers present recorded the roll call after debate.

Implementation and next steps: If adopted, the ordinance takes effect after the statutory waiting period; city staff said they would provide access, training and reporting formats to the treasurer to enable remaining statutory duties. The treasurer indicated he was evaluating legal options and had previously indicated the possibility of further court action.

Background: The change stems from a series of investigations and litigation that examined workplace conduct and city practice around the treasurer’s office. An appellate court ruling narrowed the treasurer’s authority; the council and staff say the ordinance implements the court’s direction. The transcript shows earlier closed-session work on related litigation and personnel matters.

What remains unresolved: The treasurer and some members of the public questioned whether staff would give him sufficient access to financial systems and records needed to perform his statutory responsibilities. City staff said they would work to provide training and access to the treasurer’s office and its deputies.