by Joe Schroeder
I’m often asked why I ran for City Council in Ventura, especially since I don’t have future political ambitions. Edmund Burke once said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could do only a little.” I felt that even a small contribution could make a meaningful impact, and as Mayor, I believed that if we, as a Council, shared common goals and set aside the need for personal credit, we could achieve something truly beneficial for our City. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together:
The City’s budget has grown to over $530 million, and I’m proud that we achieved a financial surplus every year. This success was largely due to our dedicated staff, who managed to secure over $50 million in grants within the first year alone.
Public safety is always a top priority and a concern for many, and we’ve risen to meet this challenge. Ventura County boasts one of the lowest crime rates among large counties in California, and the City of Ventura reached its lowest property crime rate in decades. This accomplishment is a testament to the exceptional leadership of Chief Darin Schindler and the entire police force. Our fire department has also made strides, with response times improving thanks to 13 new staff positions and a new seventh fire station currently underway.
In partnership with the County, we’ve made progress on the homelessness crisis. This year’s
count showed a 15% reduction in homelessness. By year’s end, we’ll add 134 permanent supportive housing units and 120 units for formerly homeless or low-income veterans. Under Jeff Lambert’s leadership, the Housing Authority completed the first phase of Westview Village, adding 49 affordable housing units.
Our roads faced significant challenges after two years of heavy rain, but our Public Works team has worked tirelessly to address this. They filled over 2,000 potholes this year alone, and the City Council has increased the road repair budget by 30%, dedicating $13 million to improving our roads.
Thanks to our success in attracting grant funds, we’ve invested in parks, trails, and playgrounds. We recently broke ground on a new skatepark six times the size of the previous one, completed upgrades to the Ventura River Trail, and will soon have new playground equipment at Marina Park.
Our coastal areas also saw major improvements. A $16 million grant has funded the second phase of the Surfers Point project, establishing Ventura as a model in beach erosion management. And, of course, we continue our outstanding work on the restoration of our beloved Ventura Pier.
The Visit Ventura team impressed us by attracting the X Games, not once, but twice, to our City, bringing together athletes from all over the world to enjoy our beautiful beachside community. Their dedication and partnership with the Ventura County Fairgrounds made this event a highlight.
Council efforts this year also included eliminating Net Zero fees, investing $1 million in technology upgrades, and dedicating $1.5 million to address homelessness. The Police Department, with support from other departments, completed our City Evacuation Plan, and
two retail cannabis stores opened, continuing to contribute positively to our community.
One of our most significant programs, VenturaWaterPure, is a suite of projects designed to supply up to 20% of our City’s water needs, bolstering our resilience against ongoing drought risks, in addition to improving aging infrastructure and complying with legal mandates. While the program required some challenging rate adjustments due to rising inflation and construction costs, our management team successfully secured a $173 million low-interest federal loan and $48 million in grants to fund this critical investment. Their ongoing commitment to securing every
available grant dollar continues to help reduce costs for the community and drive forward essential initiatives.
There’s still work ahead, including addressing our golf courses, updating the General Plan, enhancing Main Street Moves, and developing an ordinance for short-term vacation rentals.
Together with our six council members and dedicated staff, I believe we’ll find thoughtful solutions for these remaining priorities.
Finally, one of our best decisions was selecting Bill Ayub as City Manager. He brings a unique ability to build communities, work with a diverse Council, and improve City services for residents. And if you didn’t know, he was born and raised right here in Ventura.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to shaping our future. Together, we’ve been able to make strides that reflect innovation, resilience, and collaboration that make Ventura such a special place to live, work, and thrive. Serving this community has been a privilege, and I’m constantly inspired by the passion and dedication of our residents. Let’s keep building on our
progress, working together to create an even brighter future for all who call Ventura home.
