WILDOMAR - Scott Farnam threw his cowboy hat into the political ring because he believes his experience working with developers will help protect the horse-friendly parts of the area he loves.

The 41-year-old former rodeo bull rider said he learned to speak the "language of development" working as a real estate broker, commercial developer and licensed general contractor.

This experience will be invaluable, he said, if Wildomar voters approve incorporation because there are numerous prime spots for development in the town that will be targeted by developers.

"I have expertise in land-use planning and development," he said. "I understand economic gardening, finding commercial retailers that are a regional destination. Those are the retailers that generate revenue for a city."

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 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, Roger Le Clerc, Bridgette Moore, Darrell Ruff, Marsha Swanson, Michael Tierney, Tim Underdown and Paul Williams.

Farnam, who said he is not running on a slate with any other candidate, moved to Wildomar in the early 1990s because of the large expanse of affordable horse property. He said he would be an approachable city council member, someone who listens to residents without being confrontational.

It's an aspect of his personality that he said he believes separates him from some of the other candidates.

While he believes development along the Interstate 15 corridor is inevitable, he said it will be possible, if incorporation is approved, to preserve the area's rural roots.

"We need to have in place the proper blueprint," he said.

In his business dealings, Farnam has developed professional relationships with developers looking to build in Wildomar. He doesn't think those relationships will force him to recuse himself from council votes, however.

"I'm not involved in anything where I would gain financially," he said. "I'm acting as a facilitator to bring this area quality economic development."

Farnam says the top issue facing the area is taxes - specifically, not raising them.

To do that, Farnam said he would lean on the city's future developer partners and get them to finance infrastructure improvements before building. Also, he said becoming a city allows residents to apply for state and federal grants that can be used to establish trail systems and drainage culverts.

"This is money that would not have to come out of our pocket. There's a lot of stuff out there and I will dedicate my time to bringing it to Wildomar," he said.

Talking about developers, Farnam said it's incumbent upon the council to succeed at "economic gardening," by bringing in specific types of business that will benefit the community and bring added value to a community.

Based on his reading of the fiscal analysis for incorporation, a document that said a city of Wildomar could financially support itself, Farnam said there are opportunities that weren't included.

"I've looked at their financial model and it's very conservative," he said. "I think the city's finances will look a lot better than what it reads."

A second issue important to Farnam is public services.

"Normally, I would list that first, but there is a fear that cityhood means a city council will raise taxes to get the services and I don't want people to feel that way," he said.

One of the enhanced services Farnam said he wants to see is more police officers on the streets. Yet, he doesn't believe the city should move to create its own police and fire departments.

"I've seen too many cities that have opted for their own departments have problems with medical and pension costs," he said.

In the future, when the city is settled, it can work up to building a small substation for a dedicated police force. At some point, the city also will be able to start looking at building a community center and a regular police station.

As for those who contend the city will struggle financially if it doesn't raise taxes, Farnam said all the costs the area incurs right now - police, fire, trash service, etc. - are negotiable.

"We may be able to save money," he said.

Another issue that Farnam said is important to him is creating a happy medium between growth and development and maintaining the area's rural flavor, it's cowboy lifestyle.

Some people in the community favor doing that through an extensive series of multiuse trails. Farnam said that while he supports trails, he supports them in moderation.

"I'm a simple guy and I believe in the motto: everything in moderation," he said.

He favors looking at the trails proposals on a council level, maintaining some parts that have community support and limiting the overall scope of the project to save costs.

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