Meeting Summary
Present: LaVere, Parvin, Lopez, Gorell
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Ventura High School Football Championship Recognition
- The Board honored the Ventura High School Cougars for their 2025 CIF Southern Section Division 6 Championship.
- School officials and team representatives provided remarks during the recognition ceremony.
- A formal proclamation was presented to the team by the Board.
National Social Work Month Proclamation
- The Chair proclaimed March 2026 as National Social Work Month in Ventura County.
- Representatives from Human Services and Public Health highlighted social workers' roles in child welfare and public health.
Women's History Month Proclamations
- Supervisor Lopez introduced a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of Women's History Month and WEAVE.
- Supervisor Long presented a separate proclamation honoring WEAVE's 35th anniversary.
- Representatives from WEAVE accepted the proclamations and discussed the organization's mission.
Ventura County Agriculture Proclamation
- Supervisor Long presented a proclamation celebrating the county's agricultural sector.
- The Agricultural Commissioner provided an overview of production and discussed challenges at the ag-urban interface.
Association of Water Agencies 50th Anniversary Proclamation
- Supervisor Parvin presented a proclamation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association of Water Agencies.
- Representatives accepted the recognition and announced the upcoming Annual Water Symposium.
Rancho Sierra Apartments Tax-Exempt Bonds
- The Board held a public hearing on a request to issue up to $30 million in tax-exempt bonds for a 50-unit affordable housing project.
- Staff confirmed the issuance is necessitated by federal tax rule changes with no fiscal impact to the county.
- The Board unanimously adopted the resolution approving the bond issuance.
Commission Member Reappointments
- The Board considered recommendations to reappoint members to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee.
- Marlon Torres, Michael Rodriguez, and Edgar Yuan were approved for reappointment to their respective boards.
Area Agency on Aging Transition Pause
- Supervisor Gorrell recommended pausing the divestiture of the Area Agency on Aging due to concerns over CBO readiness and funding.
- Discussion focused on the timeline for the July 1 fiscal year start and the need to maintain ADRC accreditation.
- The Board approved a board letter proposing a $1.2 million General Fund addition to sustain AAA funding while evaluating options.
Investment Pool Report
- The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented results showing a $4.82 billion average daily balance and $16.6 million in earnings for December 2025.
- The report noted a 4.01% net effective rate of return and maintained the highest Standard & Poor's rating.
- The Board unanimously moved to receive and file the report.
CEO and Supervisor Updates
- The CEO provided updates on behavioral health planning, the Sports Task Force, and a $5.6 million HAPS grant for homelessness.
- Supervisors offered remarks on their activities and paid tribute to several community members.
Public Announcements and Recognitions
- Supervisor LaVere recognized a 102-year-old World War II veteran and announced upcoming community events.
- The Board requested an adjournment in memory of individuals submitted to the clerk.
Closed Session
- The Board discussed items 41 through 45 in a closed session.
- No reportable action was taken on most items discussed during the session.
- The Board authorized the filing of a lawsuit regarding agenda item 43 by unanimous vote.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Opening Remarks
- The Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting was called to order on March 3, 2026. Following the roll call and Pledge of Allegiance, the Chair presented remarks and a video from Somos Union School celebrating its 100th anniversary and "Month of the Young Child." Speakers highlighted student engagement in STEM, agriculture, and drone technology, noting plans to showcase these programs in Sacramento.
Agenda Item 5: Agenda Review
- The Clerk reviewed the agenda, noting public comment letters submitted for the Sheriff's Office equipment purchase (Item 25), Supervisor Long's presentation on Agriculture Week (Item 32), and Supervisor Garrell's recommendation regarding the Area Agency on Aging (Item 36). A motion to approve the agenda as modified was moved by Supervisor Long and seconded by Supervisor Parvin. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 6: Consent Agenda (Items 9–28)
- Public comment was received on two items within the consent agenda. Regarding Item 20, a speaker opposed the placement of "no overnight parking" signs in Simi Valley, arguing the measure negatively impacts individuals experiencing homelessness. Regarding Item 25, a speaker expressed concern over the purchase of military-rated surveillance drones by the Sheriff's Office, requesting transparency regarding privacy protections and citing concerns about surveillance and federal immigration enforcement. Following public comment, a motion to approve consent agenda items 9 through 28 was moved by Supervisor LaVere and seconded by Supervisor Long. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 7: Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the February 10, 2026, meeting were presented. A motion to approve the minutes was moved by Supervisor Lopez and seconded by Supervisor LaVere. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 8: General Public Comment
- Nine members of the public addressed the Board on various topics. Speakers called for the restoration of voter integrity and transparency, requesting audits, the release of voting system contracts, and a return to hand-counted paper ballots. A speaker representing coastal zone property owners argued that current Planning Division interpretations regarding brush clearance and home additions constitute a constitutional taking. Another speaker urged the implementation of an alert system for residents near the Port of Hueneme regarding lithium-ion battery fire risks. The CEO of Ventura Housing thanked the Board for support of the Valentine Road project. A speaker condemned federal immigration enforcement actions, calling for the Board to stop cooperation with federal agencies.
Agenda Item 29: Ventura High School Football Championship Recognition
- Supervisor LaVere introduced the Ventura High School Cougars football team to honor their 2025 CIF Southern Section Division 6 Championship. Remarks were provided by school officials and team representatives, and the Board presented a proclamation to the team.
Agenda Item 30: National Social Work Month Proclamation
- The Chair proclaimed March 2026 as National Social Work Month in Ventura County. Representatives from the Human Services Agency and Public Health Department provided remarks on the role of social workers in child welfare, homeless services, and public health prevention.
Agenda Item 31: Women's History Month Proclamation
- Supervisor Lopez introduced a proclamation designating March 2026 as Women's History Month, recognizing the 40th anniversary of the observance and highlighting the work of Women's Economic Ventures (WEAVE). The CEO of WEAVE accepted the proclamation.
Agenda Item 32: Proclamation Recognizing Women's History Month and Women's Economic Ventures
- Supervisor Long presented a proclamation honoring Women's History Month and the 35th anniversary of WEAVE. A representative from WEAVE spoke regarding the organization's mission. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 33: Proclamation Recognizing Ventura County Agriculture
- Supervisor Long presented a proclamation celebrating Ventura County's agricultural sector. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner provided an overview of the county's agricultural production and discussed challenges at the ag-urban interface. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 34: Proclamation Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Water Agencies (AWA)
- Supervisor Parvin presented a proclamation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County. Representatives from AWA accepted the recognition and announced the upcoming Annual Water Symposium. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 34: Rancho Sierra Apartments Tax-Exempt Bonds
- A public hearing was held regarding the Rancho Sierra Apartments project, a 50-unit affordable housing development near Camarillo. Staff presented a request to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds not to exceed $30 million, necessitated by changes in federal tax rules. Staff confirmed there are no fiscal impacts or financial obligations to the county. Following the public hearing, a motion was made to adopt the resolution. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 35: Reappointment of Commission Members
- Supervisor Lopez presented a recommendation to reappoint Marlon Torres and Michael Rodriguez to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board, and Edgar Yuan to the HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee. A motion to approve the reappointments was moved by Supervisor Lopez and seconded by Supervisor Grove. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 36: Recommendation to Pause the Transition of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
- Supervisor Gorrell presented a recommendation to pause the process to divest the County of its responsibility to administer the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) programs, seeking to withdraw the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the California Department of Aging (CDA). Concerns were raised regarding the speed of the process, potential loss of ADRC accreditation, CBO readiness, and lack of startup funding. HSA Director Roger Robinson testified that the transition was driven by budget constraints and aimed to reallocate funds to mandated services. Discussion centered on the timeline, with staff noting the need to finalize net county costs by Friday to prepare for the July 1 fiscal year start. A board letter proposing a $1.2 million addition to the General Fund for the upcoming fiscal year was presented to sustain AAA funding while evaluating options. Public comment was received from five speakers, generally supporting the pause due to insufficient preparation time for CBOs and concerns over public oversight. A motion was made to approve the recommendations as stated in the board letter. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
Agenda Item 37: Investment Pool Report
- The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented the investment pool results for the month ending December 31, 2025, and the calendar year 2025. The report highlighted a portfolio average daily balance of approximately $4.82 billion in December, with earnings of $16.6 million for the month and a net effective rate of return of 4.01%. The report noted that the pool outperformed the state benchmark in nine of twelve months and maintained its highest rating from Standard & Poor's. A motion was made to receive and file the report. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 40: Correspondence
- A motion was made to receive and file the correspondence agenda. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 30: CEO and Supervisor Comments
- The CEO provided updates on county activities, including Behavioral Health community planning, the launch of the Ventura County Sports Task Force, legislative meetings, and a $5.6 million HAPS grant for homelessness solutions. Supervisors provided updates on their activities and offered remarks in memory of several community members. No motions were made or votes taken on this item.
Agenda Item: Public Comments and Announcements
- Supervisor LaVere provided remarks recognizing a World War II veteran on his 102nd birthday and announced upcoming events, including a Coast Guard Band concert and a policy forum. The supervisor requested that the board adjourn in memory of individuals submitted to the clerk. No formal motion was made or voted upon for this item.
Agenda Items 41 through 45: Closed Session
- The Board entered a closed session to discuss agenda items 41 through 45. Upon reconvening, the Board reported no reportable action for most items. Regarding agenda item 43, the Board authorized the filing of a lawsuit by unanimous vote.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.