fresno elections 2008

Public pension costs are a special concern to local governments throughout California, and the economic conditions in the Central Valley make our situation particularly challenging. We must assure that decisions involving the retirement system reflect proper actuarial principles and are based on realistic projections of return on investment, etc. Leadership requires asking tough questions and making tough decisions.

Regarding recruitment and retention of a dependable, satisfied work force, it is important to manage the county’s resources with common sense and balance and make decisions that are affordable and sustainable. As a supervisor, I will protect taxpayers by ensuring that the county can afford any new benefit packages that it offers employees. I will work to balance the interest of taxpayers and employees so that we continue to have a welltrained workforce while offering fair wages and benefits.

During the past few years, the increase in the size of the county’s workforce has increased costs not only in the retirement system, but other areas as well. The current Board has chosen to keep approximately 600 job positions vacant. In a continuing effort to control costs, I would support keeping those positions vacant through at least the next fiscal year. Future hiring decisions must be fully vetted and affordable in the out years.

Consolidating services, cutting costs, and eliminating wasteful spending are ways to increase the amount of money in the county budget.

Recognizing that some programs have little room to cut, I believe it is essential to find ways to grow the economy and provide vital services – without raising taxes. We must implement policies that foster a healthy, vibrant private sector economy.

Business is the backbone of our economy, and our success depends on expanding existing businesses, attracting new businesses to Fresno County, and reducing the regulatory
burdens which will encourage growth and increase our tax base.

It is the responsibility of county supervisors to balance the budget, live within our means, and spend the taxpayers’ dollars wisely, while providing quality, efficient services to the residents of Fresno County. Decisions must be made based on sound economic and budgeting principles. Each department of county government must play a role in solving our budget shortfall. Top to bottom review is important. A budget
should be thought about every day and not just once a year.

County government is charged with the responsibility of providing an array of programs and services funded by higher levels of government. During difficult times, we should
carefully examine and keep a watchful eye on unfunded mandated programs, programs which require matching funds, and “realignment” programs that may put an unreasonable
financial burden on our county. Like businesses and families, our county government should institutionalize a better system that provides for a prudent reserve to carry us through difficult times.

I would bring both a business and common sense approach to the budgeting process. I will not shy away from asking tough questions and making tough decisions. Budget decisions must be made that are affordable, sustainable, and will get Fresno County back
on track.

There is no question that the state’s fiscal turmoil affects all citizens and compounds the difficulties we must tackle in Fresno County. But, county government must live within its means. Because the county delivers so many program services mandated or supported by the state and federal government, everything from education to transportation to social services will surely be adversely affected by choices made in Sacramento.

The duty of a county supervisor is to recognize this reality and approach the situation head-on without making excuses. We must be informed and well-prepared to fight to assure that we are treated equitably and that the budget axe isn’t wielded indiscriminately without regard to important priorities, etc. Our success depends on battling powerful interests in other regions who, left to their own devices, could do harm to our whole region. I will work cooperatively with our state representatives in our common cause for fair treatment and sound policies from Sacramento.

These are tough economic times for our county and we cannot currently afford to take on more long-term debt.

We must thoughtfully evaluate all our needs, but, public safety is the number one role of government, and having an adequate jail system is an essential component of a criminal justice system that protects our residents.

Even in good times, there are competing interests that vie for limited dollars for public infrastructure. Making sound budget decisions and establishing a prudent reserve will begin the process of acquiring funds needed to address our future infrastructure needs. Under recent prison reform, the state is committed to providing matching funds for up to 14,000 local jail beds, and Fresno County may seek such assistance in meeting its public safety obligation and infrastructure needs.

After fulfilling our primary responsibility of protecting public safety, other facility needs can be considered. Each of the projects mentioned has merits and a constituency that
should be heard. Bearing in mind that we are simply not in a financial position to independently fulfill every worthy construction goal, I would give due consideration to the arguments offered for each competing proposal. There are various factors to consider. These include prioritizing facilities involved in delivery of mandated services,
public health and safety concerns, and the availability of grant monies or funds from sources other than the county’s general fund.

Fresno County is the number one agricultural county in the United States. The Williamson Act has been a very important tool in preserving prime ag land and providing some tax relief that serves not only the interest of the farmers and ranchers, but the public as well.

Again, we know that hard choices must be made to deal with budget crises in Sacramento and some cuts will surely be made. However, it is cynical to attack a program whose direct cost is relatively nominal in the scheme of the entire state budget and the elimination of which can result in harm with implications for proper land use planning, air quality, urban sprawl, and a host of other issues.

For political reasons, the Williamson Act subventions are threatened by elimination or reduction in virtually every budget cycle. Sacramento politicians find it a convenient tool
to hold over the heads of our legislators to make them more compliant. I will strongly advocate for preservation of ag land and open spaces – and the Williamson Act is an important tool in that effort.

We must adopt policies that recognize the essential value of the private sector for creating jobs and growing the economy, promote educational opportunities and innovative programs that attract and encourage the best talent in fields such as business, agriculture and technology, advocate regional cooperation to make us more competitive for existing enterprises and emerging industries, and support growth of clean industries and tourism that can yield great economic rewards.

We should work with civic and business leaders, charitable and community-based organizations, educational leaders and others in an ongoing effort to identify and address underlying demographic circumstances that are impediments to a healthy economy such as crime, teen pregnancy, high dropout rates, drug abuse, etc.

We need to understand how essential it is to increase our tax base and foster a business environment that gives local businesses encouragement to grow and expand their job base, and attracts new, diverse businesses and industries that are compatible with our agricultural foundation and environmental goals.

We should pursue and raise awareness of the attributes of our valley that would appeal to tourists as well as business site selectors. Tourism is one of California’s major industries,
and we should make every effort to expand economic activity based on tourism.

There are a large number of people and organizations dedicated to improving our economic condition. Among these are the San Joaquin Valley Partnership and the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint as well as traditional organizations such as chambers of commerce and the Economic Development Corporation.

There are many possible tools to encourage economic activity. Having a large area available for siting of new enterprises with supporting transportation and communications infrastructure can be of immense value.

Any such proposal would need to be fully vetted for suitability that consider such factors as impact on existing and future transportation systems, adequacy of water supply,
impacts on air quality, competitiveness and sustainability of anticipated enterprises, and respect for property rights. Embracing the concept is simple. Developing the right plan
for the right location is the challenge.

Mental Health services are an important safety net function of counties in partnership with the State of California. The county could not maintain its mental health programs without substantial state and federal support. In fact, because of the nature of mandated services, state government bears substantial responsibility. The way that mental health services are funded is quite complicated.

Past surpluses have withered away. The state’s and county’s fiscal crises present real problems for current service delivery, much less expansion of programs. It’s also important to note that the passage of Proposition 63 – the Mental Health Service Act – in 2004 has resulted in millions of dollars to counties for a range of mental health services and facilities.

While I would thoughtfully evaluate any proposal for expansion of treatment facilities or housing, the current budget climate is not favorable – no matter how one comes down on the merits or shortcomings of the idea. Any evaluation must occur in the context of the overall budget crisis and in consideration of possible funding sources other than the county’s general fund.

The issue of debt and unfunded liabilities is a daunting problem, and the level and growth of such debt is enormously damaging. While areas with healthier, more diversified local economies and reliable revenue streams may be in better position to withstand economic downturns, we are not. This makes it most important to exercise fiscally prudent approaches to the expenditure of our taxpayers’ hard-earned money. The fact that just a few years ago, our county had little long-term debt must not go without notice. This is not to criticize decision makers, but our predicament was avoidable, and prudent policies going forward, painful as they may be in the short-run, can restore our fiscal stability.

Sound planning necessitates careful consideration of the availability of a reliable water supply for new developments. In fact, there are statutory requirements for findings on large scale projects to assure adequate water supply. Overdrawn groundwater supplies, droughts, reduced sources due to state and federal court decisions, and the failure of government leaders to fulfill their responsibilities regarding expansion of accessible water supply through storage in aquifers, off-stream storage, etc. complicate a serious problem.

Public officials must have the judgment and resolve to find practical solutions to our growth challenges. This entails advancing policies that accommodate a growing population and economic expansion while protecting vital resources and property rights, ensuring that inadequacies of reliable sources of water aren’t a burden we impose on future generations, etc. This approach means having the backbone to say “no” where development is not practical but having the foresight to recognize prosperity depends on sustainable communities that can grow over time.

Common sense and balance are essential. Fresno County Supervisors must join with other local and state public officials in pushing for state and federal policies and
infrastructure planning and funding sufficient to meet the needs of the 21st Century. In the meantime, they must not foolishly approve projects that do not have proven water
sources.