On Your Side: Are Federal Lease Terminations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Really Saving Millions?

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, claims it could save more than $4 million by terminating federal leases along the Central and South Coasts. But a News Channel investigation into the proposed savings raises new questions.

Nationwide, DOGE has identified more than 670 leases that, if terminated, would reportedly save taxpayers more than $400 million. Elon Musk, who has led the agency since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, is expected to step down at the end of May.

According to Musk, the department’s projected $150 billion in savings stems from contract and lease cancellations, grant terminations, regulatory streamlining, workforce reductions and other efficiency measures.

Locally, DOGE flagged five federal leases in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria and Lompoc as potential cost-cutting opportunities. Together, the leases cost more than $1 million annually. However, DOGE claims terminating them could save taxpayers a total of $4,320,389.

The DOGE website identifies the federal agency, city, and annual lease cost for each property, as well as the projected savings. However, it does not list specific addresses or provide timelines for when the leases will be canceled.

To verify the locations and cost-saving estimates, News Channel cross-referenced DOGE’s listings with the U.S. General Services Administration’s lease inventory, which includes lease start and end dates.

When asked for details about the targeted leases, the GSA — which manages most federal office leases — said it is “reviewing all options to optimize the federal government footprint.”

“Actively managing leases gives GSA the opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies on their evolving and long-term needs,” the agency said in a statement. “This often allows us to enhance space utilization and secure better terms for the government — including better pricing. In cases where the current space remains the most suitable option, we are adjusting our approach, which may include rescinding termination notices or choosing not to issue them at all.”

The agency also noted that many federal lease contracts include “soft terms,” or flexible cancellation clauses, which can be invoked as needed.

Ventura

In Ventura, the National Park Service leases an 11,000-square-foot facility on Spinnaker Drive from the Ventura Port District for $380,716 annually. The space houses park research equipment and archives related to cultural and natural history.

According to the GSA, the lease began in March 2006 and was set to expire in May 2026. DOGE estimates that early termination of the lease would save $252,420.

A Channel Islands National Park spokesperson confirmed the lease will now end in August 2025 and said a second lease in the same area will also be terminated.

Ventura Port District officials said the second lease, located at 1691 Spinnaker Drive, was added later at the request of the Park Service. Combined, the two leases cost approximately $386,000 annually. Todd Mitchell, the district’s deputy general manager, said the termination notice came as a surprise, especially since the district had been negotiating a lease extension through 2028 as recently as February.

“After receiving the cancellation notice from GSA, we attempted to confirm the validity of the termination,” Mitchell said. “We still have not received further confirmation and have not yet taken any steps to advertise the space or make public statements, other than providing the facts as we know them.”

Once more information is available, the district plans to consult nearby users, including ferry and commercial boat operators. The space could be subdivided and listed for lease later this year, pending City of Ventura approval.

The main visitor center, located at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, is owned by the National Park Service and is not listed on the DOGE website.

Oxnard

In Oxnard, the Natural Resources Conservation Service leases a 1,200-square-foot office on South Harbor Boulevard for $53,075 annually. The lease began in December 2009 and is scheduled to expire in December 2026.

DOGE projects that ending the lease early would save $75,323.

In March, a federal employee at the office told News Channel by phone he was unaware of any plans to terminate the lease. As of April 7, the office’s phone line had been disconnected, though the address still appears on the agency’s website.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Secretary Brooke Rollins supports “President Trump’s directive to eliminate wasteful spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.”

“USDA is optimizing building capacity and consolidating underutilized offices to reduce inefficiencies while continuing to prioritize frontline services for farmers, ranchers and rural communities."

Camarillo

In Camarillo, the Bureau of Mineral Management Services leases a 27,000-square-foot facility on Paseo Camarillo for $868,837 annually. The lease began in November 2010 and is set to expire in November 2025.

DOGE claims canceling the lease early could save $3,532,477 — the largest savings among the five local leases.

The agency, now known as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in a statement it is "prioritizing strategic reforms to maximize resources, cut waste and enhance operational effectiveness across our facilities."

Santa Maria

In Santa Maria, the U.S. Geological Survey leases a 6,400-square-foot facility on Skyway Drive for $118,513 annually. The lease began in August 2012 and is set to expire in August 2027.

DOGE claims an early cancellation could save $237,027.

Unlike the other leases, this one is held directly with a private landlord, Pacifica Commercial Realty, which has not responded to requests for comment.

USGS Western Communications Chief Miel Corbett declined to provide lease specifics but said the agency is working with GSA to ensure facilities are used effectively and to explore alternative options.

Lompoc

In Lompoc, the GSA leases a 5,400-square-foot maintenance control center on North H Street for $127,062 annually. The lease began in June 2012 and expires in June 2027.

DOGE says early termination could save $223,142. Flower Valley Plaza, the property manager, declined to comment.

Validating the Numbers

Since the DOGE website does not list when the leases will be terminated — and no agency other than the National Park Service in Ventura could provide specific details — News Channel made some assumptions to better understand how DOGE calculated its reported savings.

If each lease were to end in August 2025, like the one in Ventura, the total savings would amount to roughly $4.2 million — about $94,000 less than DOGE’s reported figure of $4.3 million.

Santa Barbara

A sixth local lease, not listed on DOGE’s website but mentioned in a congressional letter, may also be at risk.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leases a 452-square-foot office at 113 Harbor Way above the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for $18,060 annually. The office houses two researchers studying steelhead trout restoration and whale strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel.

The lease was renewed in February 2024 and is set to run through May 2031. As of April 9, the city’s Waterfront Department said it has not been contacted by any federal agency about terminating the lease.

Congressional Pushback

Concerns over the lease cancellations have prompted pushback from lawmakers.

In a March 25 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) criticized the lack of transparency.

“This lack of responsiveness to Congress is unacceptable,” the letter stated. “GSA is funded and overseen by Congress and is accountable to the American people. A lack of transparency combined with uncoordinated and chaotic policy execution is the opposite of government efficiency.”

On April 7, Reps. Salud Carbajal, Jimmy Panetta and Julia Brownley issued a joint letter demanding the GSA halt closures of local facilities operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, NOAA, USDA and U.S. Forest Service.

“Trying to shutter the physical locations for these vital agencies reflects the illegal actions undertaken by DOGE to undermine government effectiveness, rather than improving services for constituents and the American people,” they wrote.

Oversight and Accountability

News Channel contacted the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan agency that investigates federal spending, to confirm whether DOGE’s savings claims had been independently reviewed.

“We do not currently have published work around the savings claims on the DOGE website, so we are unable to comment on your specific inquiry,” said Jessica Baxter, senior media relations specialist at the GAO.

President Trump has repeatedly praised Musk and DOGE for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.

A GSA official told News Channel that, to date, no criminal charges have been recommended to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding any of the spending cuts or lease cancellations carried out under DOGE.