D.A. Says Panel Vote Violated Brown Act

The district attorney’s office has threatened to file suit against the Ventura County Transportation Commission, alleging that its vote last month to increase employee pay violated the Brown Act.

Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury has told the commission to rescind its 4-3 decision, which increased the pay of 12 employees, saying that the body voted on the matter without first notifying the public by including it on the panel’s monthly agenda.

The vote provided a 2 1/2% cost-of-living increase.

Commissioners maintained they were unaware of the violation when they voted, saying the raises were included in the commission’s annual budget.

Officials, who said they have voted for worker raises in the same way for the past decade, have agreed to correct the matter. That would likely include voting again on the raises after placing the issue on an upcoming agenda.

Broad in scope, the Brown Act is a state law designed to keep public officials from taking actions or making decisions without prior public notification.

The Feb. 5 vote was challenged by Ventura County Supervisor Frank Schillo, a commission member, who pointed out to his colleagues that voting on a matter that was not specifically listed as part of the commission agenda is illegal.

After consulting with its lead attorney, the commission took a vote.

The commission has until the end of the month to rescind its action, under terms of the Brown Act. If commissioners do not comply with the order, the district attorney’s office said it would seek to invalidate the decision.