Camarillo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Camarillo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Groundwater Adjudication and Water Rights (OPV Case)
The city is locked in a multi-year lawsuit over who gets to pump how much water from the Oxnard-Pleasant Valley basins. Phase 1 set the Pleasant Valley safe yield at 13,750 acre-feet per year — a number the city argued against and lost — and the Phase 2 trial on actual water rights is set for April 2028.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Surveillance and Data Privacy
The police department reported that a spring 2025 audit revealed license plate reader images were briefly searchable by out-of-state law enforcement agencies due to a vendor issue. While praising the tools for solving crimes like car thefts and burglaries, council members backed new daily internal audits and urged staff to evaluate alternative vendors.
Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update Vision and Guiding Principles
The city has kicked off community workshops for its long-term general plan update, seeking resident input on future growth and community needs.
Water Reclamation Plant Upgrades Program Workshop
The city is planning a massive multi-million dollar overhaul of its aging water treatment plant to ensure reliable wastewater treatment and recycled water production for decades to come. Officials and consultants are exploring diverse funding sources, including federal loans and state grants, to keep utility rate impacts manageable for residents.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Adoption
The city is reviewing a $161.6 million expenditure budget for the upcoming fiscal year, balancing healthy reserves against slowing economic growth and sticky inflation.
Mobilehome Park Land Rent Stabilization
Park residents and owners clashed over a proposed ordinance that would cap annual rent increases at between 2% and 6% based on CPI. Residents argued rent spikes are pricing out seniors and fixed-income homeowners, while park owners warned that strict vacancy controls and capped increases would hurt property values and stop maintenance investments.
FY 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget and General Fund Commitments
The mid-year budget review addresses softer sales tax revenues due to changing consumer habits while committing $98.2 million in fund balance toward reserves, facility improvements, and disaster recovery.