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Ventura County air board approves management pay raises and market adjustments over staff objections
Summary
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board adopted a resolution approving 3.5% general salary increases and market‑based adjustments (1%–9%) for APCD management positions, retroactive to December; the measure passed 7–1 after staff raised concerns about methodology and equity.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board on June 24, 2025, adopted a resolution approving general salary increases and market‑based adjustments for employees covered by the APCD management resolution, despite objections from technical staff and union representatives.
County Human Resources Director Danielle Keyes told the board the proposal mirrors terms presented to the County Board of Supervisors and negotiated with SEIU and other labor groups. The package includes general salary increases (GSIs) of 3.5% each year over the next three and a half years, market‑based adjustments (MBAs) that range from 1% to 9%, and changes to flexible benefits and paid holidays; Keyes said the MBAs were derived from total‑compensation studies of comparator jurisdictions and would be applied retroactively to December.
“County human resources division independently does a study of classifications and compensation based on comparable jurisdictions,” Keyes said, describing a benchmark approach that groups positions with an identified “benchmark” and applies associated adjustments to linked classifications. She said the county performs a countywide market assessment with APCD carve‑outs and that the MBAs were presented to SEIU during negotiations.
Several public speakers challenged the methodology and the distribution of raises. SEIU and APCD staff representatives said technical staff and specialists were compared to Resource Management Agency environmental health classifications rather than to technical staff in other air districts, and that most MBA increases appeared to benefit administrative managers. “It is difficult to ignore the pattern that is emerging,” a SEIU representative said, listing a string of adjustments to administrative positions and arguing technical staff were overlooked.
After board discussion and a roll‑call vote, the resolution passed 7–1. Board member Chavez voted No; the remaining members voted Yes.
Votes at a glance: • Election of chair and vice chair (nomination of Supervisor Parvin for chair and Albert Mendez for vice chair): motion seconded and accepted by the nominees (no recorded roll call vote in the transcript). • Appointments: Mikayla Perez and Supervisor Matt LaVier to the APCD standing committee; Pedro Chavez to the South Central Coast Basinwide Air Pollution Control Council — motion carried unanimously by voice vote. • Item 11 — Adoption of resolution granting GSIs and MBAs: Passed 7–1 (Chavez No).
The board did not adopt separate safeguards or an independent investigation during the meeting; staff testimony on equity and investigatory concerns will remain part of the public record.
