On March 5, 2024, the residents of Mountain House stand at a crucial crossroads as they cast their votes to determine the fate of their community. The question at hand: Should Mountain House incorporate and evolve into an independent city? This decision carries significant implications for the future governance and identity of this vibrant community.
Akansha Khanna, a local resident put together the following summary by gathering information and datapoints from MHCSD website, MH Matters, responses / videos posted on FB by various subject matter experts.
What form of local government do we have in MH today?
Community Services District (CSD) - its a special district but we have more powers than most of the similar setup agencies.
What is the current election about?
To incorporate MH as an independent, self governing city or not
What do we vote for in this election?
- Cityhood. We vote for MH to become a city or not (Measure D on the ballot)
- Elect a Mayor
- Elect 4 council members
- Select type of governance for the new city (Measure E on the ballot)
Voters will vote for all 4 above in the same ballot, but number 2,3,4 will only go into effect if Cityhood is approved by the voters
What is the need to become a city?
- To receive our guaranteed share of federal and state money
- To make our own decisions on land usage, zoning and economic development. For eg : whether the land should to be used to build a high school or build more houses. Currently the county makes these decisions for us.
- We will get a seat at the table with the Council of Governments (COG). This is important as we will have a voice, representation and a vote at the county and regional board.
- More powers will be added once we become a city which will enable MH (both voters and elected members) to make our own decisions
- Cityhood was outlined in the County Master Plan as a future goal of MH
How and when will MH become a city?
A simple majority approval to Measure D will pave the way for MH to become a new city on July 1, 2024
How did we reach this point?
MHCSD along with an incorporation committee made of MH residents spent close to 8 years to do the Cityhood feasibility study. Cityhood application was then filed with LAFCO along with plans for services.
LAFCO analysed the data, budgets etc to study if MHCSD is ready to become a city.
LAFCO approved unanimously.
What is LAFCO?
LAFCO stands for Local Agency Formation Commission. It is a government agency responsible for conducting special studies for incorporation of new cities and districts.
Will Cityhood increase my sales tax?
No. If we become a city we will get extra revenue for MH to utilize for our services without paying additional sales tax
Current sales tax is 7.75 (for purchases made in MH or for purchases made outside MH but delivered to MH - white goods)
If we become a city, 1% of this 7.75% Sales tax from your purchases will come to MH
Will Cityhood increase my property tax?
Property tax is not tied to becoming or not becoming a city. There is a potential of property tax increasing even if we DON'T become a city.
There is a special tax (0%-4%) which is part of the property tax. Over the last 20 years the special tax has increased by 2.4% annually.
Right now, 15% of the Prop 13 property tax (1% of value) comes to MH
If we become a city, we will get 20% of the Prop 13 property tax
How does land use decision impact me?
Control on zoning. Decisions such as whether the land needs to be used for building a high school or building more houses can be taken by us. Currently the county has this control and they make the decision for us.
What current powers does MH have?
MH currently has 18 powers
- Police (contract with San Joaquin Sheriff)
- Fire and Emergency Services (contract with French Camp Fire)
- Library Service
- Water
- Sewer
- Garbage (West Valley disposal)
- Public recreation
- Road Maintenance
- Street lights
- Graffiti abatement
- CC&R enforcement
- Dissemination of information
- Transportation
- Underground utilities
- Flood control protection
- Wildlife habitat mitigation
- Pest/weed abatement
- Telecommunication services - Cable Television / Broadband
What are the additional powers we will get if MH becomes a City?
- Land Use decisions
- Building and safety codes
- Code enforcement
- Traffic control
- Animal Control
- Economic Development
What comes with Animal Control?
We will get our own animal control department and staff which will be responsible for protecting the health and safety of the citizens and their pets in the city
Will we get a police department?
Short answer : yes we can. CSD already has police power with us however it is outsourced to San Joaquin Sheriff’s . We currently have less budgets to have more sheriffs. With becoming a city we anticipate more money which can be put to services like these.
Who are the Mayoral candidates?
Andy Su - Emergency Doctor, Current MHCSD Board Member, Inaugural board member, on the board since 15 years
Harry Dhillon - Businessman, Current MHCSD Board Member
Raj Reddy - Software Engineer
Who are the City Council candidates?
Bernice King Tingle - Current Vice President, MHCSD Board of Director, Inaugural board member, on the board since 15 years
Dan Harrison - Retired Law Enforcement
Matt Disko - Current President, MHCSD Board of Director
Ronna Green - Business Owner
Sadia Khan - Parent, Community Correspondent
Suresh Vuyyuru - Engineer, Farmer, Parent
Tejdeep “TJ” Rattan - Lt Colonel US Army Reserves, Dentist
Waheed Mir - Software Engineer
Where can I find information about them?
MH Newspaper
MH Matters February 2024 issue #119 Page 8,9,10
Digital copy : https://mhmatters.net/issues/2024/2402_119.html
Videos
Mayoral Discussion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obOkWWHBQJc
City Council Candidate Discussion Part 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkyCXLC2PAU
City Council Candidate Discussion Part 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=412Tlkh69Cs
City Council Candidate Discussion Part 3 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o8L3FDCHRU
City Council Candidate Discussion Part 4 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PQ65HhqgMY
What is the office term?
Mayor : 4 years
City council (top 2 vote holders): 4 years
City council (bottom 2 vote holders) : 2 years (these 2 seats will again come up for election in 2026)
When is the next Mayor and City council election?
2026 will feature election of two seats of the City Council
2028 will be the next Mayoral election along with the remaining two seats of the City Council
Is the Mayor and city council a part time or a full time position?
Both Mayor and the City Council is a part time position
How much do the board members and future Mayor/City Council members get paid?
$175 per meeting
What is Measure E?
Type of Governance. On the ballot the voters will also vote for Measure E. This determines how future City Council elections will be conducted. Measure E will only go into effect if Measure D Cityhood is adopted by voters. There are 3 options to choose from
- At Large : Candidates can be from the entire city and all voters vote for all council members
- By District : The city will be divided into 4 separate districts. Candidates have to be only from that district and voters only from that district can vote
- From District : The city will be divided into 4 separate districts. Candidates have to be only from that district but the entire city can vote
When is the Election?
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Who can vote?
US citizen, 18 years and above and residing in 95391
Can people on rent vote?
Yes, so long as they are registered to vote at their current address
How to register to vote? (First time voter)
Last date to register?
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
How to change my address to MH?
How and where to vote?
All California active registered voters will receive a Vote-by-mail ballot (MH residents should have received it by now)
Options to vote
- Vote-by-mail
- In person voting - election day
- In person voting - earlier than election day
If you choose Vote-by-mail, below are the options to return it
- - Return by mail (must be postmarked on or before March 5, 2024 and received by March 12, 2024)
- - Drop off location (open on February 6, 2024) - MH Town Hall
- - County elections office
If you choose Vote in person, below are the polling stations on March 5, 2024
- - Lammersville Elementary School
- - Sebastian Questa Elementary School
- - Altamont Elementary School
- - Mountain House Fire Department
- - Wicklund Elementary School
As you consider the future of Mountain House, familiarize yourself with these candidates and their aspirations for our community. Attend local forums, engage in conversations, and make an informed decision on March 5, 2024. Your vote is not just a choice; it's a voice in shaping the destiny of our beloved Mountain House.
If you choose Early in person voting, Vote center will be open in all Voters Choice Act counties beginning February 24, 2024
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