Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Paula public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in water utilities
Car wash approvals and economic development vision
Residents are upset that a former Rite Aid on a major transit corridor may become a car wash — the city's fourth. Speakers begged the council to attract grocery stores like Walmart, Target, Winco, or Trader Joe's instead. Councilmember Chavez said the city needs an economic development plan and a fairer, more transparent Planning Commission appeal process.
Water meter and smart-meter purchases
The water enterprise is buying 400 new water meters and 400 advanced metering endpoints from PACE Supply Corp. for $192,358.83 — a step toward more modern metering.
Tract 6001 sewer system acceptance (Harvest at Limoneira Foothill)
The city formally took over the completed sewer backbone for the Foothill phase of the Harvest at Limoneira development, keeping about $423,876 bonded for one year as a warranty in case problems surface.
Solid waste rate increase under Proposition 218
Your trash bill goes up 1% a year for three years starting October 2026 — about 41 to 47 cents a month for a 96-gallon cart — reflecting disposal cost spikes and the citrus quarantine, after negotiations cut Athens' original double-digit request.
Crosstown water pipeline and reservoir modernization
Phase one of the crosstown pipeline has plans ready and EPA federal funding pending environmental clearance; phase two will connect the East Area 1, Gooding and central reservoir tanks, allowing the city to retire its 120-year-old redwood central reservoir.
United Water Conservation District $350 million bond measure
A $350 million bond on the November 2026 ballot would fund three mandated projects — Santa Felicia Dam seismic safety, fish passage at the Freeman Diversion, and a seawater intrusion barrier — costing the average homeowner about $121 a year. It needs a two-thirds vote, and council members discussed possibly putting a support resolution on a future agenda.
Stormwater drainage concerns near Telegraph Road
Property owners will keep paying $37.74 per benefit unit each year — about $375,421 citywide — to help fund federally mandated stormwater pollution controls. The council renewed it after a public hearing drew no speakers.
Wastewater Chloride Compliance and $31M Treatment Plant
Staff is working with regulators to avoid building the Advanced Water Treatment Facility — now estimated at $31 million, up 50% — by using pre-treatment, water softener removal and blending to hit the 110 ppm chloride limit.
New east-side water system accepted
The city officially took over the water tanks, booster pump and pipelines Lennar built for the Harvest at Limoneira Foothill Neighborhood — infrastructure that will serve the east side and eventually connect to the crosstown pipeline for citywide redundancy.
30 Years of City Water Enterprise
The city celebrated 30 years of running its own water system and honored 30-year employees Joe Dugas and Tim Martinez.