Ventura County adopts 2025–2028 agreement with Ventura Employees Association

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board voted Dec. 16 to adopt a three‑year memorandum of agreement with the Ventura Employees Association (VEA), covering 2025 through December 2028.

Tavine Coss, who presented the agreement on behalf of the County Executive Office’s Human Resources Division, summarized key provisions, including three annual general salary increases of 3.5% and targeted market‑based adjustments based on compensation studies. “This contract as well has targeted market based adjustments based on the results of total compensation studies... Those range from, 1 to, I believe, 4 and a half percent, paid over 2 years,” Coss said while outlining the VEA terms.

The agreement establishes a temporary assignment pay (TAP) provision that provides a 5% differential when operational managers assign short‑term project work outside an employee’s normal duties. The flex credit allowance was restructured to a tiered system intended to align with other union agreements over time; the county will also pay dental and vision premiums for enrolled employees. The MOA adds Cesar Chavez as a paid holiday and creates a joint labor‑management committee to address operational issues outside the grievance process.

One registered public commenter, Joey Carmona, president of the Ventura Employees Association, said the VEA membership ratified the agreement and urged the board to adopt it, saying the deal supports recruitment, retention and workforce stability. “I am pleased to report that the VEA members have voted to approve the agreement with the county,” Carmona said.

A board member moved to adopt the VEA agreement; the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote. Board members congratulated negotiators and the meeting moved to adjournment.