Little opposition to Menifee Valley cityhood

By: LORELL FLEMING - Staff Writer | Saturday, October 6, 2007 8:17 PM PDT ∞

A Sun City woman is the only resident so far to have voiced objections in writing to a commission considering a proposal that would combine Sun City, Menifee, Quail Valley and parts of Romoland into a new city.

Monday was the deadline for submitting public comments to the commission on a financial analysis of the proposed new city of Menifee Valley. However, comments received through Oct. 12 will be forwarded to the commission separate from the analysis.

In her Sept. 5 letter to Riverside County's Local Agency Formation Commission -- the agency that has to approve the proposal before it is put before voters -- Anne Pica said she believes Sun City would not benefit from becoming part of the larger city. Also, Pica questioned whether the new city would be financially healthy.

In an interview this week, Pica stood by her letter. She vowed to campaign against cityhood if an election is called.

"I don't see where the people of Sun City get anything from being part of a city," said Pica, adding that she has spoken to about 15 neighbors who agree with her.

"I strongly object to allowing Menifee Valley to move forward with incorporation when it is so very weak on financial stability," Pica said, referring to statements made in a financial analysis.

The analysis, done by GST Consulting of Rancho Santa Margarita, indicates that two of the three boundary alternatives for a new city would be considered financially risky.

But the study also indicates that the alternative with boundaries at Mapes Road to the north and Briggs Road to the east -- which would have a projected population of about 60,000 -- would have the strongest financial prospects both in the near future and long term.

Joe Daugherty, chairman of the Menifee Valley Incorporation Committee, said becoming a city would enable these communities to have local control over matters such as how much money is spent on public safety in this area. Currently, these sorts of decisions are made by the county Board of Supervisors. Only one of those supervisors, Jeff Stone, directly represents Menifee, Sun City and Quail Valley.

"Jeff Stone is doing a great job," Daugherty added. "But, as a city, we could elect a five-member council to make those decisions and all of those elected people would be accountable to us. Plus, as a city, more of the tax dollars generated in these communities would come back to us and we can spend it as we see fit."

Pica's letter will be included with the firm's financial analysis, which will be given to the commission.

At its meeting Oct. 25, the Local Agency Formation Commission members are scheduled to hear a report from the commission's staff on the cityhood plan as well as the financial analysis. The commissioners will listen to comments from the public and could vote on the matter at that time.

Officials are asking that anyone submitting written comments bring 10 copies for the seven commissioners, the commission's attorney, staff and files.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors chambers, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside.

If the commission approves the formation of the new city, the supervisors will have to set an election on the issue. Because of state-mandated requirements regarding election dates, voters are not likely to see the cityhood question on a ballot before June. If it is approved, the city would officially be formed Oct. 1, 2008.

Daugherty said the pro-cityhood committee would like that ballot also to include a question that allows voters to have a say on what the name of this new city would be. "Menifee Valley" has been the working name of the proposal, but others could be included on the ballot as a secondary question. Voters would also be asked to elect their first city council at the same time, with the top vote-getter being named the city's first mayor.

Pica's opposition does not discourage Daugherty.

"Cityhood is a positive thing and is feasible financially. I think many people see that," Daugherty said Wednesday, adding that supporters will be present for the commission's meeting later this month.

Daugherty also said there are "lots of benefits" to all of the communities that would be part of the new city, and said he would give a presentation on the benefits to anyone who wants to hear it. He can be reached at (951) 679-3088.

Meanwhile, people who want to get their opinions to the commission can send letters about cityhood and the financial analysis to 3850 Vine St., Suite 110, Riverside, CA 92507-4277. E-mails can be sent to info@lafco.org.

Contact staff writer Lorell Fleming at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or at lfleming@californian.com.