Oxnard council adopts FY2025–26 budget; approves tax, assessments and several contracts after split votes

The Oxnard City Council adopted its fiscal-year 2025–26 operating and capital budget on June 17, while separately voting on related staffing, fee and financial-policy resolutions and on several maintenance and community-facilities tax levies.

Key votes - Budget and personnel: The council approved the FY2025–26 operating and capital budget and a companion resolution authorizing full-time equivalent positions. The operating/CIP adoption passed 6–1 (Councilmember Star voted no). The FTE resolution passed 6–1 (Star no). - Salary schedules and fees: The council approved the city's classification and salary schedule (7–0), adopted financial-management policies (6–1, Star no), set the FY2025–26 appropriation limit (7–0) and adopted the master fee schedule (7–0). - Public-safety pension assessment: The council adopted the voter-authorized property tax rate used to pay public-safety pension obligations (6–1, Star no). City staff said the tax is a voter-authorized option tied to pension participation and does not remove the city's underlying pension obligations. - Community facilities and maintenance districts: Council confirmed several assessments and tax rates for CFDs and LMDs after the public hearing process. The Waterways maintenance assessment hearing (L1) and landscape maintenance (L2) items were adopted (actions carried mainly 6–1 in items where recorded; Councilmember Star voted no on some items). River Park (CFD 5) was handled in a separate vote and carried unanimously in council discussion.

Contracts and procurement votes - TG Consulting (Tyler EPL): Council approved a third amendment to a contract with TG Consulting Services (legacy subject-matter consultant supporting the city's Tyler EPL implementation) to increase the total contract and extend the term; the motion passed 6–1 (Star no). Staff said the amendment fills a short-term need because of high turnover in the licensing division and unique institutional knowledge retained by the contractor. - EHS International (safety training): Council authorized a multi-year professional services agreement for safety training with EHS International in an amount not to exceed $1,550,000 for an initial year and up to four one-year extensions (7–0). - Legal notices and other consent items: The council approved a one-year agreement naming a local newspaper for legal publications (7–0) and approved other consent items including procurement and appointment items.

What the council debated Council discussion centered on program costs, contracting with former city employees, and fiscal discipline. Councilmember Star repeatedly questioned contract rates with a former city employee turned consultant and asked for fuller documentation and reporting; other members and city management described the consultant as a necessary short-term subject-matter expert who has helped maintain several million dollars in annual business tax revenue. The council asked staff to provide detailed background information and to circulate it to all councilmembers for review.

Budget context and next steps Staff said the FY2025–26 budget preserves core services while directing one-time funds to capital projects. The meeting also included a discussion of the city's inability, during ongoing litigation, to issue new lease revenue debt — staff said that temporarily constrains bonding for some capital projects and may shift some CIP funding to pay‑as‑you‑go cash funding.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff for follow-up materials on the TG Consulting amendment, a clearer per-parcel breakdown of assessment calculations for next year and a public response date for outstanding audit and grand-jury items. Several votes were recorded 6–1 with Councilmember Star dissenting on items tied to borrowing and contractor amendments.