Record & Priorities

In his 2026 candidate statement, Steven Vargas identifies accountability and transparency as central priorities.

His statement says:

"I have been your advocate for change in Brea politics and accomplished much with one vote against an unresponsive Council majority. Help me to keep accountability and transparency front and center."

PUBLIC RECORD:

In Vargas v. Balz (2014), the California Court of Appeal held that the Brea City Clerk lacked authority to alter certain municipal ballot arguments and required author-identification forms to reflect what the clerk believed the authors intended. The court also held that the challenged changes violated the Elections Code and had not been properly made available to the public. The judgment was reversed and the matter was remanded for further proceedings. The Court of Appeal also chose to decide the case even though the election had already passed, explaining that the election-law issues involved significant public interest and were likely to recur while evading review because of election timelines.

Steven Vargas's candidate statement says:

"As your advocate, I helped pass Measure T, removing benefits for part-time Councilmembers."

PUBLIC RECORD:

On November 6, 2012, Brea voters approved the Brea Accountability Act, Measure T.

Measure T addressed several areas of municipal government, including City Council salaries and benefits, executive staff compensation, the City Manager's employment contract and other city-government matters.

Following voter approval, the City Attorney conducted a section-by-section legal review.

The City determined that Measure T's limitations on City Council salaries and benefits were legally permissible and implemented those provisions.

Under the implemented provisions, Council salary is limited by the applicable Government Code, Council benefits follow the rules applicable to regular part-time City employees, and Council expense reimbursements must comply with City policy and applicable state law.

Councilmember Steven Vargas and Brea City Treasurer Denise Eby publicly raised concerns regarding alleged travel-time billing by the City's contracted law firm.

A July 2025 report from the City Treasurer alleged $195,639.50 in unauthorized travel-time billing dating back to 2016.

In August 2026, the Brea City Council voted 4–1 to extend the law firm's contract. Steven Vargas cast the sole vote against the extension. The revised agreement included more explicit language concerning travel-time billing.

The law firm disputed the allegations, and special legal counsel retained by the City advised the Council that the City was unlikely to prevail in litigation seeking recovery of the disputed charges.

Steven Vargas's candidate statement separately says:

"Partnering with our City Treasurer, we found billing errors by a city contractor; thousands have been recovered, with action pending to prevent future abuses."

Steven Vargas currently serves as a member of the City of Brea Finance Committee.

The Finance Committee meets twice each month, on Tuesdays during the week before regular City Council meetings.

Its responsibility is to review City Council agenda items that have a financial impact on the City and make recommendations for consideration and action by the full City Council.

Agendas are published before Finance Committee meetings and approved minutes are made publicly available, creating a continuing public record of the committee's financial-review work.

The Finance Committee operates within Brea's broader fiscal-management structure. The City describes that framework as including a balanced General Fund budget, multi-year financial projections, reserve policies, capital-replacement planning and investment oversight.

Steven Vargas states the following in his 2026 candidate statement:

"I consistently vote against tax and fee increases which impact our seniors and small businesses. I vote No to water rate increases which are unwarranted; Brea owns 1/3rd of the water company."

PUBLIC RECORD:

The City of Brea's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025 report that Brea held 2,320.50 common shares of California Domestic Water Company, representing approximately 27.93% of the company's outstanding common shares.

The same financial statements report that Brea purchased approximately 85.2% of the water used by its Water Utility through California Domestic Water Company. The City also holds preferred shares and water rights connected to its water supply.

A City of Brea water-cost fact sheet explains that Brea has acquired water rights and stock since 2011 to secure access to water and reduce water-acquisition costs. For FY 2011-12 through FY 2018-19, the City reported approximately $7.8 million in savings from purchasing water through California Domestic Water Company instead of MWDOC before certain additional costs, and approximately $6.8 million after those additional costs were included.

City Council establishes Brea's water rates and charges.

Steven Vargas's candidate statement says:

"I established case law in government accountability by defending citizens' rights regarding ballot initiatives (Vargas vs. Balz)."

PUBLIC RECORD:

Steven Vargas filed the action challenging changes made to ballot arguments concerning two Brea municipal initiatives.

In 2014, the California Court of Appeal held that the Brea City Clerk did not have authority to alter an argument, or its legally required author-identification form, in order to accomplish what the clerk believed the author intended.

The court also held that the challenged changes violated the California Elections Code and had not been properly made available to the public.

Although the 2012 election had already occurred, the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion to decide the case because the issues involved were matters of significant public interest that could recur while evading appellate review because of election timelines.

The appellate court reversed the trial court judgment and remanded the matter for further proceedings.

PUBLIC RECORD:

The City of Brea describes the Integrated Crime Center as a technology-based public-safety initiative designed to provide first responders with information about incidents and generate investigative leads.

City documents identify components including a software backbone, video-management and storage systems, video analytics, cameras, automated license-plate readers, unmanned aerial systems, public/private partnerships, and a Drone as First Responder program.

The City's FY 2023-25 budget identified development of the Integrated Crime Center framework as a City Council public-safety priority.

In August 2026, the City Council agenda included acceptance of the Integrated Crime Center citywide camera-network project as complete.

Steven Vargas's candidate statement says:

"Since 2016, I have spearheaded the Integrated Crime Center to fully utilize technology to improve crime prevention and investigations to keep Brea safe."

Steven Vargas previously served on the Brea City Council from 1998 through 2002.

He returned to the Council after being elected in November 2014 and was reelected in 2018 and 2022. He served as Mayor of Brea in 2021.

Beyond his City Council service, the City of Brea's published biography lists government experience at the county and federal levels.

Vargas previously served the County of Orange as a Third District Executive Assistant and worked at the federal level as an Outreach Coordinator for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration.

The City's published biography also lists his service on the League of California Cities Transportation, Communications & Public Works Policy Committee, the Orange County City Selection Committee and the North Orange County Cities Joint Powers Authority.

The City of Brea has explained that the League of California Cities Transportation, Communications & Public Works Policy Committee reviews state and federal legislation and regulations involving transportation planning, technology, infrastructure funding, construction, public works and telecommunications.