1. Why is there an interest in becoming a city and who is leading it?

• The Eastvale Incorporation Committee was established in March 2007. Its formation was based on widespread community consensus to explore the financial and political feasibility of incorporating as an independent city, and remove the community from the land use planning jurisdiction of Riverside County.

   

• The reasons to support incorporation are many...

   

• Local control of decisions regarding allocation of local tax dollars for services such as police, community services, public works and land use planning. Localize the government decisions as it relates to quality of life and economic well-being by having the ability to elect the city council. The city council, being made up of Eastvale residents would reflect the goals and values of the residents and businesses. Further, by achieving city status, Eastvale gains the benefit of State and Federal funding sources for service increases that are available to other cities. Being a city allows a greater voice representing the community and influencing regional issues.

2. What are the benefits of cityhood?

• The ability to control the city's locally generated tax dollars is a primary benefit. Local revenues such as sales tax, a portion of the property tax, franchise fees and motor vehicle fees that currently go to the county, will remain in the city. The locally elected city council will decide priority expenditures of the community's tax dollars, rather than the county spending these funds. The level of city services such as law enforcement will be determined by those priorities set by the residents of the city. Other benefits include direct local authority over land use planning and development policies. Local decisions will be made by locally elected officials, this provides for the greatest opportunity for both business community and residents to work together to provide for the best economic development and public service plan for the community. This will foster the long-term success of the business community, while maintaining the exceptional quality of life currently enjoyed by the residents today.

3. Does becoming a city mean higher taxes?

• NO. The process requires that the new city must be able to support and sustain itself over the long term utilizing existing revenue sources. State law prohibits an incorporation to incur that would require a tax increase to the residents or businesses without at least a two-thirds majority vote of the residents. A two-thirds majority vote is also required under state law for any potential future tax increases.

4. Will businesses in the new city benefit?

• Yes. Businesses will have a greater voice in the economic development of the city. The business community will be able to present their specific interests and requirements for fostering the success of the business community to a city council that shares a desire for them to succeed. Businesses will also gain the ability to directly participate in the local decisions regarding levels of public services provided to the business community and business centers.

5. How will the new city influence current regional issues such as: transportation, energy and housing?

• By virtue of becoming a city, the region will gain a higher level of recognition and legal status in addressing regional issues affecting the area's quality of life. Cityhood status provides representation in a number of organizations and public entities such as the Riverside Transportation Commission, Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), the California League of Cities, and other agencies that are active in resolving regional issues. This will bring this community's collective voice, currently unheard while under county jurisdiction, to the table, and become a significant contributor to the most important issue that faces our area today.

6. How will the boundaries of the proposed city get established?

• Maps and Legal descriptions may be prepared by any person or firm which holds a current and valid State of California license as a Registered Surveyor or Registered Civil Engineer (with a number 33965 or lower). Additionally, firms previously approved by LAFCO can submit Legal Descriptions Maps without review by the County Surveyor. Map and legal descriptions must be reviewed for form, content and accuracy.

7. How will Cityhood affect school district in Eastvale?

• The incorporation of our community will not affect the School Districts. School Districts are independent governing bodies with autonomous decision-making authority.

8. What is LAFCO?

• The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) was established in each California County in 1963. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Reorganization Act (commencing with Government Code Section 56000) controls local agency formation, annexations (the addition of territory to an existing city) and incorporations (creation of a new city).

For more information on LAFCO visit their website at: http://www.lafco.org

9. Who pays for the feasibility study?

• Eastvale Incorporation Committee pays for the feasibility study, through fundraisers and community donations.