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Council OKs one‑year operating agreement for Spirit of Santa Paula Harvard shelter
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to execute a one‑year operating agreement for the Spirit of Santa Paula Harvard shelter (1498 E. Harvard) with funding capped at $700,000 for the fiscal year and reimbursement tied to performance metrics; Spirit reported 57 beds, 104 unduplicated clients and about 25 people permanently housed to date.
Santa Paula — The City Council authorized the city manager to execute an operating agreement with Spirit of Santa Paula for the Harvard shelter on Wednesday, formalizing the short‑term terms required by the joint funding arrangement with Fillmore and Ventura County.
The one‑year agreement (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) establishes performance reporting, allowable operational costs and insurance and indemnification requirements. Under the joint funding arrangement, the maximum combined funding for the fiscal year is capped at $700,000 and the monthly base operating reimbursement is capped at $62,133; reimbursement is submitted to the county and Fillmore for subsequent reimbursement to the city.
Spirit representatives told council the shelter operates 57 beds and served 104 unduplicated people through Dec. 1; staff reported about 25 people have moved into permanent housing from shelter placements. Spirit warned that one performance metric requested by the county — a 75% placement rate into permanent housing — is not currently achievable and that Spirit’s current placement rate is closer to 38% given housing supply and staff capacity. Spirit and staff noted rising operating costs, including jumps in workers’ compensation and fire insurance, which may affect budgeted amounts.
Director Mason said the county requires standardized reporting across the three funding partners and the reimbursement process is being refined: the county reviews invoices periodically and the city processes payments to Spirit, then seeks reimbursement. Finance Director Ramirez said the county has moved to a quicker review cycle and the city expects reimbursements to be processed in a shorter window going forward.
Vice Mayor Crosswhite moved and Councilmember Chavez seconded authorization for the city manager to execute the agreement substantially in the form presented; the motion carried and staff will obtain signatures from Fillmore and Ventura County as required.
The agreement also calls for a programmatic reevaluation by April 2026 to determine funding needs for the following year and to review performance outcomes against the joint funding agreement.
