Council agrees to continue $upport of Ventura Council of Governments

May 06, 2002
Santa Paula City Council

Fillmore has signaled it will no longer participate but the City Council agreed at the April 29 meeting to continue membership in the Ventura Council of Governments, even at a higher price.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesFillmore has signaled it will no longer participate but the City Council agreed at the April 29 meeting to continue membership in the Ventura Council of Governments, even at a higher price.The effectiveness of VCOG and a retooling of same has been discussed by members since last year when the agency was broken off from a shared staff basis with LAFCO. Cost estimates for an independent VCOG range from about $55,000 for minimal staffing to $280,000 for a full staff.The council had agreed at the April 15 meeting to wait until a VCOG meeting where a VCOG work plan, budget options/adoption and other issues related to the agency would be decided.Mayor Ray Luna, the city’s VCOG member, said he attended the April 25 VCOG meeting: “Fillmore has withdrawn but I don’t think it is final and they will reconsider. . .[budget option for contract] professional services,” were agreed to at cost of $76,000 annually. “I suggest we stay in it,” Luna noted.
Interim City Manager Paul Skeels said he suggested that the city retain its membership in VCOG for the time being; the deadline for pull out and due payment is May 1.Vice Mayor Laura Flores Espinosa agreed, noting the cost increase for membership - from $4,000 to an estimated minimum of $5,734 - is a “minimal amount to participate in regional form of government. . .”The full council, including Councilman Rick Cook who at the April 15 meeting had noted that discussions of VCOG were akin to “kicking a dead dog,” voted to continue membership in VCOG.According to the VCOG report, the agency will now be staffed with a consultant who will cover regular administrative duties and ongoing professional duties to the point of making recommendations on implementation of VCOG work program elements, but not including coordination with other regional agencies or legislative advocacy.



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