San Buenaventura, California Development News

City Council Approves Employee MOUs and Salary Increases, Upholds Bid Protest Decision for State Water Project

The City Council approved a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and salary/benefit resolutions for represented and unrepresented city employees. The MOUs with SEIU Local 721, Ventura Police Officers Association, and Ventura Police Management Association include phased salary increases over three years (3-4% annually) and increased city contributions to medical insurance premiums, starting at $800/month for employee-only coverage in 2027 and rising to $1,900/month for family coverage by 2029. Unrepresented employees will also receive similar phased salary increases, with some executive employees excluded from the listed increases. The city's medical contribution for council members will also be updated. A bid protest regarding the state water interconnection project was heard, with the city engineer's denial of the protest upheld by the council, allowing the construction contract to proceed with Sam Hill and Sons. The council also approved related professional services agreements. A separate motion addressed the historic survey, reclassifying school district properties to a '7R' designation (requiring further evaluation) and designating three specific private properties (1052 Ventura Ave, 6205 Ventura Blvd, and 1456 Buena Vista St) as '6Z' (ineligible for historic designation).