Written Public Comments
Submitted by the 3pm deadline
(Instructions for Public Comment are provided on the first page of the meeting agenda.) 4/20/26
From: seth Bonilla
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 12:59 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Fw: Public comment to be read...
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "seth Bonilla"
To: "Seth E Mail"
Sent: Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Subject: Public comment to be read...
For residents information:
1978-1990s; budget concerns regarding police funding were already present in the late 1970s and by 1992 and 1993 the city was facing significant deficits And discussing contracting with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department or Oxnard police.
2013-2017, police salaries and pensions were flagged as major factors and financial instability. A 2017 report found that Port Hueneme employees were among the highest paid in Ventura County with high overtime and the police department contributing to this.
2017 - 2018 conflict, the police Union sued the city over contract disputes regarding pension contributions while the cities general fund was heavenly burdened, with police taking up roughly 43% of it in 2017. 20/20- present, Port Hueneme has continued to have one of the higher per capita expenditures for police in Ventura County, with ongoing challenges and balancing public safety costs with other city services.
We all have very important lives, yet you five make decisions for us without informing the community on critical expenses. There is no further reason that this community can put trust in any of you since you believe our tax dollars are your personal bank account to spend on the whims of the police department which has been a continuous burden on our finances for 45 years. You do not consider your residence, you don't consider the farmer who works two jobs, or the seniors who are on fixed incomes. You do not consider the amount of money it now cost for fuel, food, housing, insurance, medical insurance, and all the necessities of residents, but would rather continually allow the police Union to neuter this council's common sense into submission. Why would this Council or the police department consider young families when the odds are stacked against them in this present day climate, they don't because of the amount of money that they make from the taxpayers, it is now policing for profit which is shameful in itself. The police and the union will continue to take, and to take, and to take until our city finances are hanging on a thread each year. None of you have the courage or fortitude which has been demonstrated, to stand up for the people. Police in all communities are necessary, but not to a point ever where it cost us year after year. Self enrichment has become your mantra, as you do very little for the community and in the community. We live in a beautiful environment and enjoy many things including festivals, car shows, movie nights and the likes. But underneath all of this, is the underlying issue of financial responsibility so that we can remain solvent year after year. I failed to mention that the unpaid liabilities will be the backbone that breaks this city eventually, because of the way you allow the police unions to neuter you into submission.
SRB