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close5th District Supervisor * Term: 4 years * Salary: $84,000
Jim Patterson is currently a county supervisor
Debbie Arnold is a rancher and businesswoman
1. Do you favor adopting new policies to shape development in the rural areas of the county? Why or why not?
Patterson: The board adopted smart-growth principles in 2005. That policy directs growth to urban areas where services and infrastructure exist. It makes sense to direct development away from rural areas and toward where there are existing streets, sewers, utilities and other infrastructure. Leapfrog, low-density, large-acreage development in rural areas costs taxpayers because it is expensive to provide services and maintain, and adversely affects agriculture and open space.
Arnold: Right now, the county should not be spending millions of dollars updating land-use policies for housing that is unlikely to even be considered in the current economy. In the future we need to examine the rules to create a common sense balance between housing needs, property rights and protecting our farm and ranch lands.
2. What would you do to control public employee pension costs that some say are threatening the county’s long-term fiscal soundness?
Patterson: The Pension Trust Board oversees the investments and monitors the health of the Pension Trust Fund. It is imperative that it ensures sustainability of the fund and provides accurate information regarding benefit costs to the Board of Supervisors. Board members must meet frequently with employee bargaining units to be kept abreast of investment return and payout information, keep lines of communication open and discuss any proposed changes in pension funding methods.
Arnold: We need to move from defined benefit to defined contributions Ñ much the same as most private sector pensions. Defined contribution pensions give both taxpayers and employees greater certainty and spread potential cost increases to both parties instead of forcing taxpayers to bear the whole burden. We should also look to have more ‘shared contribution’ elements so that employees are actively participating in building for their own retirement.
3. What do you see as the county’s role in helping create affordable housing? Be specific.
Patterson: The county can protect the affordable housing we currently have by continuing conversion ordinances that protect senior housing, mobile-home parks and apartments. More opportunities for affordable housing sites would be provided by changes such as higher densities, expanded height limits and smaller parcel sizes. Continued support of nonprofit housing providers and possible infrastructure financing will provide incentives for builders to provide necessary affordable housing options. We must also consider inclusionary housing policies.
Arnold: I oppose ‘inclusionary zoning’ that forces low-income housing into neighborhoods. Instead we need to create incentives to build housing where the jobs are Ð not only will this help create more affordable housing, but it will reduce traffic problems.
4. Do you support large-scale agricultural and residential development such as the project proposed at the Santa Margarita Ranch? Why or why not?
Patterson: Planning that includes large parcels with underlying lots that provide development rights for a certain number of buildings provides built-in growth potential, while providing the county the opportunity to direct how growth is implemented. Agricultural clusters are beneficial when landowners group housing while leaving 95 percent of the land in a contiguous parcel for agriculture use. Noncontiguous parcels negate the benefits to agriculture because the spaces between lots don’t retain much agricultural potential after development occurs.
Arnold: As a rancher, I want to do what we can to preserve the ranching heritage of this area, but we should not allow extremist elements to dictate county policy or take people’s property rights. The proposed project would put more than 3,600 acres into permanent conservation. I believe each project deserves consideration and due process.
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