Imperial County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Imperial County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Hudson Ranch Power assessment appeal procedure
The Board of Equalization won't let Hudson Ranch's New York-based corporate witness testify by video at the Nov. 9 appeal — the witness must appear in person so the county can cross-examine him live.
Property tax levy certification dispute
Auditor-Controller Karina Alvarez refuses to certify the 2026-27 tax levy rates, saying a consultant made unverified adjustments and she was shut out of the process. The board took no vote and instead told counsel to explore legal options to force her compliance.
SB 1329 solar property tax valuation
Assessor Robert Menville warned that SB 1402 would slash appeal timelines to six months, drop fees, and shift the burden of proof to the assessor, while SB 1329 would restrict how solar farms are valued — both could burden the county.
Closed session litigation and property negotiations
The board met behind closed doors on one matter with significant exposure to litigation and labor negotiations covering fourteen county bargaining units. Direction was given to staff, but no final action was announced.
Employee health premiums for Plan Year 2027
Healthcare costs jumped over 12%, but the county is picking up the entire $6.1 million increase, so employees and retirees pay the same premiums next year.
Supervisorial term limits ballot measure
Escobar and Cardenas-Singh wanted voters to decide in March 2028 whether to cap supervisors at three terms (12 years). Hawk, Price, and Kelley balked at the timing days before an election, and the motion failed 2-3. Several residents pushed for a stricter two-term, eight-year limit.
County procurement and local business access
A local disabled-veteran business owner said manufacturer project registration blocked him from competitive pricing on a county furniture bid; the Board directed staff to review the process and local bidding preferences.
Social services building maintenance
The county proposed awarding a construction contract of up to $385,197 to build new interview rooms at the Department of Social Services office in El Centro.
FY 2026-27 budget and structural deficit
A resident flagged that S&P dropped the county's bond rating from A- to BBB in 2025, citing governance and transparency problems and late audits — a warning sign that could raise borrowing costs for county projects.
County leadership turnover and HR Director appointment
The county filled a key vacancy after a year with five department head changes. The new HR Director's Step F starting salary split the board 4-1.
2026 Assessment Roll Growth
Property values in Imperial County hit $19.1 billion for the first time, up 6.15% — good news for school and county budgets, though growth is slowing from last year's 7.9%.
ICERS retirement board appointment
The Board appointed Michael Abraham to the county retirement board after a resident challenged the appointment over his alleged role in data center approvals; staff explained he was unopposed in the employee election.
Detention facility property tax exemption
The board unanimously backed a bill that would strip the welfare property-tax exemption from for-profit detention facilities — directly targeting the Imperial Regional Detention Facility, whose nonprofit ownership structure has avoided millions in property taxes. Critics called it a $60 million giveaway; defenders noted 250 full-time jobs.
Solid waste fee increase concerns in Heber and unincorporated areas
About 1,600 unincorporated homes near cities will pay roughly $318 a year on their property tax bills for mandatory three-container trash, recycling, and organics service. Residents on fixed incomes objected to the property-tax mechanism and reduced container capacity, but the county faces state fines up to $10,000 a day for non-compliance.
Assessment appeals process needs an overhaul
Assessor Robert Menville told the board its hearings are happening at the wrong time of year, notices are vague, and procedures need brushing up — he wants the old assessor/counsel/clerk working group revived.
Senior Deputy County Counsel appointment
The county will hire a senior deputy county counsel at an advanced pay step to fill a vacant, funded position — strengthening legal capacity amid heavy litigation.
Senior food security and the Imperial Valley Food Bank contract
The county approved up to $1.05 million to feed seniors through the Imperial Valley Food Bank through 2029, reaching at least 720 seniors a month with fresh produce and protein sourced locally where possible. It comes as food lines grow and El Centro recently cut Catholic Charities meal funding.
H.R. 1 impacts on county safety-net programs
Federal cuts will hit hard locally: about 100,000 residents on Medi-Cal, 49,000 CalFresh recipients, and an estimated $976,000 in added local admin costs. The Board approved letters to state and federal leaders demanding funding and opposing cost shifts.
Sales tax benefit requirements for large developments
A proposed ordinance would require any non-residential project worth $5 million or more to route its construction sales tax to the county — standardizing deals the county has cut piecemeal with solar developers. A second reading and vote comes later.
Auditor-Controller office remediation
The CEO shared early findings from the CLA audit of the troubled Auditor-Controller's office: almost no staff training, outdated paper processes, and poor record visibility. Fixes include a new training program and outreach to bond rating agencies to protect the county's credit standing.