Economic Advisor’s Contract Extended

The Camarillo City Council has agreed to extend the contract of its part-time economic development consultant another year.

The agreement for James Jevens also includes a $5-an-hour raise, paying him $80 an hour for a maximum of 50 hours each month.

Jevens’ duties include attracting new businesses to Camarillo and assisting existing companies with expansion plans. For that, he is set to receive up to $48,000 over the next year.

“Camarillo has really benefited from Jim’s interest in bringing in new businesses,” said Larry Davis, assistant city manager.

“He’s been able to devote time over and above what his contract calls for selling Camarillo.”

Among others, Davis said, Jevens is responsible for luring a record distribution company and a speaker manufacturing firm--and the 60 jobs that go with them--to Camarillo over the past year.

The decision to grant Jevens a contract extension and pay raise comes just weeks after the council agreed to participate in a countywide economic development program.

The Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County is a regional business retention and expansion partnership that would help lure companies to Ventura County.

That coalition already has received tentative approval for a $2-million federal grant, provided that matching funds of $667,000 are raised.

Camarillo council members earlier this spring agreed to chip in about $49,000 to that effort.

Jevens, however, will concentrate on aiding Camarillo businesses and other firms interested in relocating to the city.

“It will be mutually beneficial,” Davis said. “If the leads can get to Ventura County, we’ll have a shot at them.”