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Ventura, Calif. – The Ventura City Council unanimously adopted a balanced $531 million operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 following the City’s annual budget hearing at its meeting on June 25. The budget outlines significant investments to maintain and improve the City’s aging infrastructure and deliver core services and programs.
The budget spans from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and focuses on the City Council’s highest priorities, sets aside funds for future infrastructure needs, and maintains the City’s high level of service. This includes addressing priorities such as reducing homelessness and enhancing environmental protection while accounting for rising costs due to inflation and supply chain issues.
"This year's budget highlights the City’s dedication to strategic investments in infrastructure and community programs, ensuring Ventura’s financial stability and enhancing public services," said Mayor Joe Schroeder. "By addressing critical needs such as storm-related repairs, library rehabilitation, and facility replacements, we are laying a strong foundation for the future and strengthening our community for years to come."
The FY 2024-25 budget highlights include total General Fund resources and expenditures balanced at $149.3 million, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of funds to maintain and improve city services. The General Fund budget includes funding for major projects such as the EP Foster Library rehabilitation, storm-related repairs at the Buenaventura Golf Course, and facilities replacement at the Olivas Links Golf Course.
"We commend our executive leadership team and finance staff for their diligent work in developing a budget that addresses our community's needs and ensures the delivery of essential services," said City Manager Bill Ayub. "This budget allows the City to continue supporting critical programs, including public safety, homelessness, street and park maintenance, and sustainability efforts, all aimed at improving the quality of life in Ventura."
In addition, the $193 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget allocates substantial resources to ongoing VenturaWaterPure projects, includes $16 million in grant funding for improvements at Surfers Point, and increases funding for citywide maintenance of roads, sidewalks, medians, and public spaces by approximately 30%. This increase includes an additional $5.5 million, bringing the total budget for road repairs in Fiscal Year 2024-25 to $13.3 million.
The voter-approved Measure O initiative has allocated $28.3 million to support critical programs, including public safety, homelessness, street maintenance, park maintenance, and environmental sustainability. Since its inception in 2016, Measure O has generated over $103 million, funding more than 65 initiatives to improve the quality of life in Ventura.
The City presented a preliminary draft budget to the City Council at its meeting on April 23 and hosted a workshop on June 4 to answer questions and hear comments from residents.
For additional information about the City of Ventura’s budget process or to download financial documents, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/FinancialTransparency.
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