Page 4 - The Friday Fyer • June 12, 2015

A-4 THE FRIDAY FLYER JUNE 12, 2015 Can City budget support city-hood? . . .
FROM PAGE A3
We certainly would have no opportu- nity to enhance police protection by cre- ating our own police department if we were to disincorporate or be assimilated. Though fire protection services likely would remain the same, there would be no elected officials to fight for our inter- ests if things changed.
Most importantly our City controls land use and protects the Property Own- ers Association from intrusive regula- tion. There is a saying in government that “ordinances trump covenants.” In essence, this means that a city govern- ment can write laws or create land use restrictions that must be followed by home owner associations within their jurisdiction. For instance, a city gov- ernment could write an ordinance to control the color someone paints their house, and home owner associations would be forced to follow the law even if the association members had differ- ent tastes.
More importantly, a city could enact zoning laws to mandate certain areas be reserved for commercial develop- ment (no homes allowed), and home owner associations would be forced to comply. In my opinion, it is important that the City negotiate a significant role in land use planning (similar to agree- ments Sun City residents have with Me- nifee) prior to any disincorporation or assimilation.
for bankruptcy.
There is also the option of doing nothing until the money runs out and simply filing for bankruptcy; letting the courts determine our fate. These are uncharted waters. The laws for civ-
ic bankruptcies are different from the laws for personal bankruptcies. There are a number of issues associated with our situation that have never been be- fore the courts.
It is unclear when a city can declare bankruptcy. Is Canyon Lake technically bankrupt when we cannot contract for basic services because we are reason- ably certain we cannot fulfill our obliga- tions? Do we have to wait until we have no cash to file bankruptcy papers? A few California cities, very dissimilar to Can- yon Lake, have filed for bankruptcy with varying results. The things that all those Cities agree: bankruptcy is a tedious and expensive process.
other until we turn blue in the face and get nothing done
We all moved to Canyon Lake for dif- ferent reasons, and there is no right or wrong answers to our dilemma. Person- ally, I hope that we can have an honest and informed discussion about where we go from here and respect each oth- er’s difference of opinion. I also want to personally apologize to my neighbors, friends and constituents for not solving our problems and leaving the commu- nity with these tough decisions.
Another Perspective
BY VICKI WARREN
Newly elected Councilwoman Vicki Warren provided another perspective on the City’s budget projections. Following are her comments:
not good. While the City is just begin- ning to see some actual numbers come in from the Utility Users Tax, we have been informed that the cost of our pub-
Vicki Warren in the Fiesta Day Paraade.
lic services may increase so greatly as to outpace the UUT.
Canyon Lake leaders expected an increase and the UUT was designed to handle what had originally been project- ed. Now we’re told fire protection alone could increase by as much as 18 percent, which could bankrupt cities and even counties throughout California. Keep in mind, though, that the 18 percent in- crease is not written in stone.
At Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, a five-year “projection” was presented that paints a pretty bleak pic- ture, and we expect that to be used as a are some facts to keep in mind:
1. The five-year projection uses an 18 percent increase (which is not yet a “real” number). While there are threats that it could go even higher, there are also other factors that could bring our costs back to only 8 percent, which would keep us in reserves for the life of the UUT.
2. Conversely, the UUT figure used for income is the originally estimated
amount of approximately $780,000 (which is also not a “real” number). That figure could just as easily reach $1 million.
The fact is we are in such a fluid con- dition right now that we really don’t know which numbers are accurate. Why inflate the negative and not inflate the positive? If we are going to reach for the potential 18 percent mark, we should also reach for the full potential the UUT might bring. I believe to suggest other- wise is to use the numbers against us rather than for us.
Clearly, we can expect a skewed vi- sion of costs for the next five years from those who wish to dissolve the City, and that will be followed quickly by shouts of disincorporation. That very subject was brought up again at last week’s City Council meeting.
Why the rush? Why force Canyon Lake deeper into debt with the added expense of pursuing disincorporation? That’s the question of the hour. As citi- zens, we absolutely must question the motivation behind those who will be pushing to dissolve the City, especially at this juncture. The people who are pushing for this are not doing it out of concern for Canyon Lake. Disincorpora- tion will not help Canyon Lake. We will not save money by losing our City.
And we definitely do NOT have to rush into this decision now. There are other possibilities, and there is time. Those who are pushing for this are un- willing to give the City that time.
If, when all else fails, we are still fac- ing outrageous increases to our public safety costs, then, and only then, should we pursue those options, the most dras- tic being disincorporation. There are other options even then.
HUD HOMES FOR SALE $ TERRIFIC VALUES $
LAKE ELSINORE
$183,000
3 BR 2 BA, 1,334 sq ft Handy Man Special! Kitchen with Granite Counters, Stone Fireplace, Garage and Carport Parking, Huge useable .97 sq lot.
$311,500
4 BR 2.5 BA 2,371 sq ft, Super Floor Plan, Gourmet Island Kitchen with Granite Slab Counters, Enormous Backyard with a Concrete Patio.
$143,000
2 BR, 2 BA, 1,241 sq ft, Spacious Living Room with Abundant Windows , Kitchen with White Tiled Counters and Breakfast Bar, and an attached garage.
$151,000
2 BR, 2 BA, 1,424 sq ft 55+ Community of Golf
Knolls, Extra Large Lot, Kitchen with Breakfast Bar, Private Rear Patio, and Many Amenities in this Community.
$204,000
4 BR, 3 BA, 1,972 sq ft, Kitchen with Abundant Wood Cabinetry, Circular Drive Way, Spacious Backyard with Pool.
$202,350
3 BR 2.5 BA 2,058 sq ft, Fire Place in Family Room and Master Bedroom, Tiled Floors, Vaulted Ceilings, Covered Patio and RV Parking.
HEMET
HEMET
MENIFEE
MURRIETA
HEMET
Call Today For More Info On Purchasing a HUD Home
(800) 347-1673 Ext: 1000
Call for a Free HUD Photo List or go to www.HUDHomestore.com
SHARI POTTS TEAM
www.InlandREServices.com
BRE# 00869490
PHOTO BY BERT BARBAY