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