WILDOMAR - Michael Tierney has watched some of his neighbors lose their homes, leaving behind dying grass and empty driveways.

The 41-year-old paralegal supervisor, a member of his neighborhood's homeowners association, said the foreclosures are tied to the larger housing market downturn and he believes that downturn could negatively affect the fiscal viability of Wildomar if the area incorporates.

"I'm shaky. I'm not 100 percent for cityhood," he said. "I'm certainly not against it, but I have concerns about the finances."

Area voters will decide Feb. 5 whether to incorporate and, if so, which of the 14 candidates should serve on the inaugural five-person council. Voters also will be asked to decide if the council members should be elected on an at-large or a district basis. The other 13 candidates on the ballot are Sheryl Ade, Gary Andre, Steve Beutz, Martha Bridges, Bob Cashman, Harv Dykstra, Scott Farnam, Roger Le Clerc, Bridgette Moore, Darrell Ruff, Marsha Swanson, Tim Underdown and Paul Williams.

In addition to his concern about the housing downturn, Tierney said his support for cityhood is teetering based on his reading of the comprehensive fiscal analysis. That document details how a city of Wildomar would pay for services that the county has been providing while maintaining a healthy reserve.

The analysis, which was reviewed by the state controller's office, predicts Wildomar will be financially viable in the years after incorporation.

Tierney said the inaugural city council will have to walk a fiscal tightwire during that time. It could be a struggle for a fledgling council to contract with all of the various service providers that will be needed to maintain the level of services residents expect, he added.

"Cityhood is a great opportunity, but the right leadership would give it a better chance," he said.

Tierney moved to the Wildomar area in 2002. The Chicago-area native - he's a Bears, Cubs and White Sox fan - said he loves the small-town feel of Wildomar and likes being close to San Diego, Irvine and the baseball stadiums in Los Angeles and Anaheim.

"I felt closed in when we lived in San Diego," he said.

Tierney is not running on a slate and he said it's unlikely he would have been asked considering his prior support for annexation to Murrieta.

Cityhood is the No. 1 issue facing the area, Tierney said.

Subissues include financing the startup of the city, which Tierney said is dependent on funding the county will provide as a subsidy for the first 10 years after incorporation.

That money, approved by the county Board of Supervisors this summer, is based on the savings the county would realize by not having to provide services for the area, according to the report.

"What if, down the road, the county pulls that money away?" Tierney asked. "I don't know what the remedies are."

If something does happen to the subsidy, Tierney said taxes likely will have to go up.

"I don't think cityhood is going to be free," he said. "I hope the people do their research on both the candidates and the issues."

Another important issue facing the area is emergency services, he said.

Tierney said he noticed slower response times and a lower level of service compared to what he was used to as soon as he moved into town. Service has improved slightly since 2002, he said, but he added he would love to see a Wildomar police force with dedicated police officers. Tierney also wants to see a fire station on the east side of Interstate 15.

"With the recent fires, it makes it even more important," he said.

Wildomar residents in 2003 defeated two separate proposed assessments that would have paid for dedicated police and fire services. Only 51 percent voted for dedicated firefighter/paramedic squad and 49 percent voted for dedicated sheriff's patrols. Both totals were far short of the two-thirds needed for passage.

That result is just one of the reasons Tierney favored annexation into Murrieta, which, he said, would have provided increased services, including eight police officers.

A third issue Tierney mentioned is managing growth.

"It's a delicate balance, preserving the charm of Wildomar and accommodating growth," he said.

Pointing to the area's roads, he said it seems as if the developers erected the buildings and forgot about the roads.

"It's a real headache," he said. "I would like to plan for the future."

That future will include protecting the area's mountain views.

"I just love it, watching the sunsets, feeling the breeze turn from warm to a little cool," he said. "Sitting in my backyard, I can look west toward the mountains and we can drive through the northern end and enjoy the rural charm."

If development must happen, Tierney said it should be selective and designed to boost the value of the area, such as a high-end car dealership or another business that offers something unique.

Editor's note: This is the 12th in a series of profiles on the 14 candidates seeking a council seat should Wildomar residents decide Feb. 5 that the community should become a city.

- Contact staff writer Aaron Claverie at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or aclaverie@californian.com.