fresno elections 2008

The County has adopted lower tier retirement plans for new employees. This change will, in the long run, reduce the costs of the retirement system. In addition, the pension obligation bonds were secured at a lower interest rate than would have been paid directly to fund the system. In the long term, this financing will prove to have been a very good investment for the county.

Economic development is the long range solution to increasing the county budget. In addition, if and when additional land is included in city spheres, the tax sharing agreements should be adjusted to provide a greater percentage to the county. I am in favor of exploring a plan for a public safety tax. However, unless all public safety related entities agree on how the funds would be divided, it is unlikely that voters would approve a county wide public safety tax.

I am serving on the budget committee currently. The county budget committee is in the process of examining all programs and preparing to make necessary cuts to balance the budget. All fees for services must be carefully examined to be sure that all potential revenues are captured. There should be some reorganization in departments to create the most efficient operations. Eliminating vacant positions and reducing overtime and extra help should be the first cuts. If necessary, there may be a small number of filled permanent staff positions that will have to be eliminated.

Long range plans should be made to replace the older facilities to create efficiency in staffing, utilities and maintenance. As these facilities are replaced, there should be a modest increase in the total number of beds. The county should seek grants and issue bonds to pay for new facilities when plans are finalized. I believe that an increased level of efficiency in the court operations drastically reduces the need to greatly expand the number of jail beds. Continued funding of new district attorney, public defender and probation positions is needed to best utilize the jail beds that we now have.

The new morgue is the highest priority. The county has tobacco securitization funds to pay for the majority of this facility. This project is coming to the board for approval this year. The ag center concept is being considered now. It appears that there is a good possibility of a private/public partnership that could have economic development advantages for the county.

I lead the effort to establish our county facility committee that is reviewing facility needs and advising the board on priorities related to facilities.

No. If the subvention funds are eliminated from the state budget, the county should not continue the program.

The enterprise zone will generate more jobs. I will continue to support a reorganization of the county’s economic development related functions to maximize our efforts related to economic development including tourism.

I have supported this effort and believe this is a key factor for our economic development efforts for the unincorporated areas.

Yes. I have supported efforts to create an inpatient facility for children and believe that our efforts will result in a facility in the near future. I lead an effort to bring the valley counties together to create a joint project for inpatient services and I support the current plan to issue an RFP for these services. Housing for the mentally ill is badly needed. The County has recently joined with the Housing Authority to address these issues. With new leadership at the Housing Authority, I am optimistic about this effort.

The county issued pension obligation bonds at a lower interest rate than would have been paid to the retirement system for required funding levels. In the long term, this type of financing will reduce the costs to the taxpayers for the pension system.

The juvenile justice campus was a badly needed facility to replace the “Hall of Shame” that was being threatened by the state for closure. The County received a large state grant and used tobacco securitization funds to build the majority of the facility. Only about 20% of the first phase was financed, which is very conservative. The court facility includes a unique financing plan whereby the state will pay their share of the costs.

Overall, the county’s debt is estimated to be at less then 30% of its debt capacity. In addition to the Pension Obligation Bonds issued to replace the shortfall in the pension system, the only debt that has been issued is for capital projects. The county has never borrowed for ongoing operations. The county has an excellent credit rating due to the careful management of its resources.

Water storage should be a priority for the region. In addition, conservation efforts and ground water recharge must be encouraged. Water must be a major consideration as we plan for future growth. Future developments must be required to deal with the related water demands before they are approved. As the county updates its general plan and identifies areas for future growth, water availability and impacts to ground water levels must be a major consideration.