Candidates explain their stance on Measure S

The four-year terms of council members Dawn Haggerty and Vicki Warren end in November, leaving two seats open on the Canyon Lake City Council. Four residents have announced their candidacy: Kasey Castillo, incumbent Dawn Haggerty, incumbent Vicki Warren and Jeremy Smith.

The Friday Flyer invited the four candidates to answer a series of questions leading up to the November election. During this period, residents will have a chance to hear from the candidates and learn more about them and what they hope to accomplish if elected to serve a four-year term on the City Council.

Last week, The Friday Flyer asked the candidates how the city can improve its relationship with new and current business owners. This week, The Friday Flyer asked each candidate to answer the following question in 350 words or less:

What is your stance on Measure S?

The candidates are listed as they appear on the ballot.

Kasey Castillo

Kasey Castillo. Photo by Jill Torkelson

I discussed this topic on Sept. 10, 2018, on my Kasey Castillo for Canyon Lake City Council Facebook page (@castillo4CLCC) because it is one of the most important issues currently facing our city. The short answer is that I believe the passing of this Measure is necessary for Canyon Lake. I support the passing of Measure S.

No one likes taxes, but they are a fact of life. I believe our immediate response to a tax is to think of our personal cost rather than the benefits to our community. There’s nothing wrong with either perspective. Generally, I agree with paying costs in exchange for services. I think the labeling of it as a “tax” makes it harder to swallow for most.

My statements in The Friday Flyer in response to other questions show that I am not in favor of increased taxes or creating taxes. I’m in favor of supplementing revenue where we can, especially if it assists in avoiding total reliance on measures like the UUT. From the inception of my campaign, I have let it be known that I am in favor of strict oversight and control over tax revenue.

I attended the Measure S presentation put on by the Chamber and found the information from the city, as well as concerned residents, helpful to my determination. I appreciate that there is no increased percentage from what was approved in 2014. I like the fact that it is usage-based. For example, the less you use gas or electricity (maybe you have solar) the less you’ll feel the effects. I agree that the funds should continue to be audited by an outside agency and budgeted at a public meeting.

Two questions are, why into the general fund and why no sunset date? These are legitimate concerns. Understanding that roughly 75 percent of our budget goes to public safety/life services may answer the first question. I asked the second question of the City Manager and was told to forecast for budget certainty and to lock in the percentage. If elected, I promise to carefully monitor this tax revenue for necessity.

Dawn Haggerty

Dawn Haggerty. Photo by City of Canyon Lake

The City Council unanimously determined to place Measure S on the ballot for November to address the need to extend the UUT in order to allow for future planning for the city. We determined not to increase the tax and keep it at the same rate.

The city needs the contribution of the UUT to fund fire and police protection for our citizens (and to keep our Fire Station 60 open). The city continues to look at options for providing these services at lower rates; however, even if/when this happens, the UUT will still be needed to provide life/safety services important to Canyon Lake’s way of life. Canyon Lake is among many cities requiring additional revenue to preserve essential fire/law enforcement services, as county services continue to accelerate at an unsustainable rate.

I urge all voters to be informed about Measure S and to read the fact sheet on the city’s website and then to vote.

I will also appreciate your vote. I am committed to keeping this city solvent and providing the best safety services possible. I decided to run for a second term because I know we can improve what we currently have and I have several ideas on how we can do that.

Vicki Warren

Vicki Warren. Photo by City of Canyon Lake

As the current mayor, I joined a unanimous City Council to put Measure S on the ballot. As stated in the council’s unanimous resolution, the money generated by the UUT is essential to maintaining life safety and our quality of life. It was unanimous because we need to know what funding we have coming up to plan accordingly and because keeping that funding in place allows the city to continue to explore all possible solutions for getting the best services for our community at the least cost.

Every small city in California, even the County of Riverside, is struggling with the rising costs of fire and police services and all of us are looking at every possible way to fund these costs. Some cities are increasing their sales tax. Others tack on a huge fee paid annually by each homeowner.

The fact is, our essential life services (no matter who provides them), will always have to be paid for. Keeping the UUT in place allows Canyon Lake to work to continue our quality of life and safety services while working towards better solutions.

Opposition to the Measure will say this isn’t going to work but it already has. Whether you agree with the UUT or not, the success of the UUT cannot be denied. I supported the UUT four years ago and I will support it again. It worked to help open Station 60 and to keep it open. Measure S will do the same.

Maintaining our quality of life, which includes our life services, is my primary concern and I believe passing this Measure is vital to Canyon Lake.

For or against, please be an informed voter. Read the information posted on the city’s website. Attend an informational meeting. Learn all you can about Measure S. You’ll find that this is not a new tax, it is an extension of the existing Utility Users Tax, to be continued at the same percentage with no increase, and you’ll see that continues with the same transparency that has been in place since it started.

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy Smith. Photo by Donna Ritchie

I am running for City Council because I believe we live in one of the best communities in Southern California and I want to keep it that way. Public safety is my top priority and we must recognize that legislation passed by Sacramento politicians is threatening public safety across California. The brave men and women who keep us safe here in Canyon Lake are forced to deal with the burdens that these soft on crime policies place on municipalities.

As a business owner, I have learned the importance of finding solutions to pay for priorities, like public safety, without going into debt. I do not support raising our taxes, but Measure S is simply an extension of the tax rate we currently pay to support our public safety personnel. If we do not renew this measure, we will be forced to make cuts to our public safety budget, which could lead to a less safe community.

We would also be forced to close our fire station, which will lead to longer response times – never a good option with lives on the line. Measure S will allow us to continue paying for the services we need to keep our community safe, without raising taxes.

As your next councilman, I will work diligently with my fellow council members and regional leaders to find options for additional revenues to offset our costs. I’m honored to have the endorsement of the former president of the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association, and I have already started working with our local public safety personnel to explore ways to streamline processes and increase efficiencies.

We need Measure S in Canyon Lake because it will allow us to keep local control of our services and ensure that we have the necessary funds to keep our community safe. Public safety is my number one concern and as your next councilman, I will fight to keep Canyon Lake a safe community to live, visit and raise a family.

I’d be honored to receive your vote in November and invite you to contact me on my personal cell at 951-391-9109 or at smith4canyonlake@gmail.com.




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