Action taken at the July 30 meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has provided residents opposing annexation with a reason to celebrate.
The supervisors, on a 4-0 vote (with one abstention), took a stand to officially oppose the annexation. The county also will send a letter to Corona with a recommendation that the city withdraw its application from LAFCo to annex its sphere of influence within a portion of Temescal Valley.
The county also will continue its negotiations with Corona regarding the financial impacts on the county if the annexation were to occur. Both city and county prepared fiscal analysis projecting what the costs would be to the county if Corona was successful in its takeover. (Read city’s fiscal analysis HERE ) (Read county’s fiscal analysis HERE)
The two reports differ dramatically. While the Corona analysis shows very little financial loss for the county, the county analysis projects about a $3 million per year negative impact and longterm up to $5.5 million annually.
Beverly Burr, an outside consultant who worked on preparation of the county’s fiscal analysis, told the supervisors the difference was created when the city calculated its numbers based on per capita costs involving all Riverside County unincorporated areas (average costs), and the county based its numbers on case study (actual costs).
When opposing fiscal analyses differ, the LAFCo process dictates that the two agencies must negotiate in an effort to mitigate the negative impact if possible. The county will continue its negoatiations with the city.
Kevin Jeffries, our supervisor, and Supervisor Jeff Stone led the discussion to oppose the annexation. And, while Supervisor John Tavaglione abstained from the vote (his district includes the city of Corona), he could have voted against the county’s stand.
Eleven Temescal Valley residents and businessmen explained why they oppose the annexation in their three minutes allocated to speak. Their presentation was a rehearsal for the Sept. 26 public hearing before LAFCo.