Oxnard City staff report two portal whistleblower submissions, propose policy updates to reflect state law

Annie Jensen, project manager in the City Manager's Office, told the Finance and Governance Committee that Oxnard City received two whistleblower reports between June 3, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025, and that staff are proposing updates to the city's whistleblower policy to reflect recent changes in California law.

The report is the standard biannual update the city presents to the committee, but Jensen said this edition includes a substantive policy revision tied to state changes. "When filing a whistleblower report with the City, reports can be received in 1 of 3 ways," she said, listing mail to a P.O. box maintained by the internal auditor, Vasquez and Company; a phone line that the auditor monitors; and the city's online portal, Clearview Connects. Jensen added, "The whistleblower can remain completely anonymous in both filing the report and messaging directly with city staff if they choose to."

Jensen told the committee staff will revise the local policy to reflect recent state legislation. She said the State of California has approved "Assembly Bill 24 55," which staff said amends California Government Code section 53087.6 and updates key definitions used in the city's policy. According to Jensen, one change replaces the phrase "improper governmental action" with "improper governmental activity," and another clarifies the definition of "contractor or subcontractor," including the qualifiers that determine when entities or individuals fall within those definitions.

Staff provided a contact list of additional agencies for whistleblowers and said contact details for those entities appear in attachment 1 of the staff report. Jensen said Clearview Connects, which went live in April 2023, is interactive and allows filers to communicate with staff about the status and outcome of their reports; she said city staff cannot access identifying information unless a filer chooses to provide it.

On case counts, Jensen reported two submissions during the review period; both were submitted via the online portal and, after review by the internal auditor, were classified as nonfiscal or not city-related. Jensen closed the presentation by noting the item will appear on the committee agenda for its Jan. 27 meeting and offered to answer questions.

The committee was given copies of the staff report and an attachment listing external resources and contact information; no formal motions or votes on the policy were recorded in this presentation.