District 5 Supervisor· 2023-01-02 - 2027-01-04
John Hawk
Imperial County, California
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 28
- Total speaking time
- 3:02:54
- Avg per meeting
- 6:32
- Segments
- 2539
Want every word Hawk has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Hawk said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Data center ballot measure
The project could bring construction jobs and tax revenue, but opponents warn of ratepayer and infrastructure costs; no county dollar figure was attached to today's votes.
Data center controversy
The data center itself isn't on today's agenda, but the fight is driving recall campaigns, litigation risk, and a proposed countywide industrial-siting ordinance.
Data center moratorium and regulation
Litigation costs are mounting; speakers questioned whether the promised $10 billion investment and tax revenue are realistic.
Quechan tribal representation and Picacho Road Bridge
Bridge replacement runs $8 million or more, and abutment repairs on Arnold Road alone are about $500,000.
Duplicate mail ballots ahead of November 3 election
Not stated.
Supervisorial term limits ballot measure
County staff said the measure would cost the general fund nothing since it rides the existing March 2028 ballot.
Lithium Valley funding and expenditures
Reimbursements come only from new tax revenue generated by participating projects — up to $100 million per project over 20 years — with no upfront county spending.
Updated CEQA regulations
No direct cost, but the rules shape how much legal and environmental scrutiny future mega-projects face.
Hudson Ranch Power assessment appeal procedure
The appeal covers six 2023 assessment applications on the power plant's assessed value.
Property tax levy certification dispute
Tax bills have already been mailed without the elected auditor's statutory certification.
Storm response and deferred facility maintenance
Not specified; pre-positioning flood materials and overtime response could add costs.
Tropical Storm Rachel emergency response
Damage assessments are ongoing; the proclamation opens the door to state reimbursement.
Airport funding and appointments
Program is federally subsidized; local fiscal impact not stated.
Arnold Road Bridge emergency
Emergency declarations keep the county eligible for repair funding; specific costs were not stated.
Community Air Protection and air quality education
The county says new mandates — a hotline, website, expanded permitting — would land on local businesses and residents through fees, with no state funding attached.
Fire department staffing crisis and overtime costs
The fire department remains underfunded; Supervisor Hawk suggested contracting with Riverside County could save money while adding firefighters.
FY 2026-27 budget and structural deficit
A lower credit rating can mean higher interest costs when the county borrows for roads, buildings and other projects.
Voter outreach and low election turnout
Roughly $50,000 in outreach funding that was approved in concept but never delivered.
County leadership turnover and HR Director appointment
Annual salary of $176,032.83 plus a $5,000 signing bonus over five years.
450 W. Aten Road warehouse lease
The county is currently paying more than $1,000 a month from the general fund to maintain the property; a better lease could offset that.
Decisions during term (903)
Recorded while Hawk was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Add urgency item to Closed Session (anticipated litigation)
Motion to convene to Closed Session
Item 28 pulled from agenda (Winterhaven Advisory Committee bylaws)
Item 31 pulled from agenda (Pistol Pete's Gun Shop lease)
Approval of agenda order
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Approval of the Consent Budget
Approval of Official Proceedings for October 20, 2026
El Niño local emergency proclamation (Item 14)
2026 meeting calendar changes (Item 15)
Board of Equalization: Hudson Ranch remote testimony denied (Item 18)
Authorize and approve the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture Cooperative Agreement #25-0617-024-SF for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for the European Grapevine Moth Detection Program in the maximum…
Approve a new three-year agreement with Westmorland Union Elementary School District Vista Sands Program for Fiscal Years 2026-2029.
Approve support for Francilia’s Twice the Love Foundation in the amount of $1,000 from Community Benefit Account No. 1886001, as requested by Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar, District 1.
Ratify purchase of 2 tickets for Hidalgo Society’s Dia de la Raza event in the total amount of $120 from Community Benefit Account No. 1886001, as requested by Supervisor Jesus E. Escobar, District 1.
Approve appointment of Carl Haynes to serve on the Riverview Cemetery District Board of Trustees (term to be concurrent with the District 4 Supervisor’s term).
Adopt Resolution honoring California Highway Patrol on the Opening of Its New El Centro Area office.
Approve and authorize the Chairwoman to sign the "Lease Modification Agreement #2" between the County of Imperial and Zagami, Inc. for the Imperial County Airport property located at 440 W. Aten Road, Imperial, CA 92251, for a term of ten…
Authorize and approve the Agreement for Emergency Ambulance Service with American Medical Response Ambulance Services for a term of three (3) years from October 27, 2026, through October 26, 2029.
Approve Modification #1 to agreement for services with LG2WB Engineers, Inc. dba Linscott Law & Greenspan, Engineers in the amount of $15,800 and increase total not to exceed $80,800 to provide professional transportation engineering…
Voting record (22)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Resolution calling election on supervisorial term limits
Wants more time and research on why the issue is being raised now, before the election.
Proclamation: Cancer Awareness Month (October 2026)
Proclamation: Service Dog Awareness Month (September 2026)
Proclamation: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Proclamation: Hispanic Heritage Month
Proclamation: National Recovery Month
Proclamation: National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
SB 675 — draft opposition letter to Assembly Appropriations Committee (Item 16b)
Believes the county's existing APCD structure is not broken and the bill adds cost to a struggling farm economy.
Juneteenth Day Proclamation
Proclamation: Imperial Valley Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 1, 2026)
Proclamation: National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 3-9, 2026)
Proclamation: Mental Health Month (May 2026)
CASA $150,000 grant fails; brought back May 12
Believes community benefit funds should prioritize job creation and projects rather than salaries.