Imperial County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Imperial County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.