SANTA PAULA — In January, Councilmember Jenny Crosswhite was appointed Vice Chair of the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (Ventura LAFCo) and board member for District 47 of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), representing the cities of Santa Paula, Ventura, Ojai and Fillmore. These positions will enable the City to actively participate in matters that not only affect Santa Paula, but also communities throughout the region, providing direct input in decision-making processes that impact Southern California as a whole.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to amplify the voices of all Ventura County residents through my participation in Ventura LAFCo and SCAG,” said Councilmember Jenny Crosswhite. “My goal is to ensure that the unique needs and perspectives of our communities are considered while working with my fellow elected officials to build a comprehensive plan for our region’s future.”
Ventura LAFCo is a seven-member independent organization that reviews changes in city and special district boundaries. This includes adding or taking away territory, creating new cities, forming new special districts and combining, merging or dissolving current districts. Ventura LAFCo also reviews and approves service agreements, conducts service reviews and determines spheres of influence for each city and district. This year, Ventura LAFCo will rule on the City’s proposal to annex the 64 acre Santa Paula West Business Park.
SCAG is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that brings together public agencies across Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial counties to address matters of regional significance. SCAG is a key player in developing long-range plans for the Southern California region, including transportation, housing and air quality. SCAG is tasked with working with the state and federal government to evaluate proposed programs and activities in the region. The Regional Council serves as SCAG’s primary governing body. Through her appointment to the Regional Council, Councilmember Crosswhite will ensure the interests of all Ventura County communities are considered in the development of regional plans and programs.
“Councilmember Crosswhite’s appointments to these regional boards offer an excellent opportunity for collaboration between communities in Ventura County to affect positive change,” said Mayor Andy Sobel. “As a board member, she will work towards ensuring fair representation and advocacy for all communities in our region. With these positions, our City can more effectively partner with other public agencies in Ventura County to promote the wellbeing of all County residents.”
In addition to these regional boards, all Santa Paula Councilmembers regularly serve on committees and boards that help better serve Santa Paula. These appointments demonstrate Santa Paula’s commitment to interagency cooperation and proactive leadership. To learn more about the various boards and commissions City Council Members serve on, visit the City’s website. If you are interested in serving your community by joining a Santa Paul board or commission, there are several vacancies opening in 2023 that you can learn more about on the Boards & Commissions webpage.