Candidates say Merced County should rethink budget priorities

Candidates running for the District 4 seat on the Board of Supervisors seemed to be in consensus that Merced County needs to rethink its budget priorities and focus on public safety and infrastructure, though views vary on what policies to implement.

The candidates on Tuesday morning responded to questions in a forum hosted by the Merced County Association of Realtors. The group hosted a similar forum last week for candidates running for District 1 and District 2 seats.

Questions in the forum focused on public safety, the transportation tax proposed by the Merced County Association of Governments and economic development. Candidates often voiced the opinion that Merced County has the money to pay deputies more and fix roads, but that the current board has lost sight of the county’s top needs.

One audience member asked the five candidates whether they have reviewed the county’s budget line by line.

Jack Mobley, Ramon Prado and Lloyd Pareira all said they have made attempts to do so.

Prado said the description on how general fund money is used is too vague.

“I’ve done enough research to know there’s money to be adjusted and reprioritized,” Mobley said.

Fidel Cervantes and Rich Ford said they’ve read the county’s overview of the budget.

Ford agreed with Prado, saying it’s hard to know what money is being spent on if you’re not part of the discussion. There’s always government waste, he said, even in small towns such as Gustine, where he served as mayor.

Andy Krotik, who moderated, started the debate with a question about crime in Merced County and how to fund the Sheriff’s Office, which is plagued by low staffing.

Ford proposed a countywide public safety assessment to raise money that would go toward hiring more deputies and giving them a better compensation package.

Mobley said he would support a public safety assessment, adding that he would give his entire share of discretionary funds to the Sheriff’s Office.

Cervantes said he believes the money is available to give deputies better pay: “There’s always allocations somewhere. It’s just a matter of priorities.”

Prado said the county should cut wasteful spending to ensure Merced deputies get the best pay. “The county lives beyond its means,” he said. “We need to buckle down on this crazy, reckless spending.”

Pareira criticized the county for including “me too” clauses in contracts with other unions, adding that economic growth will help raise revenue to fund a healthier Sheriff’s Office.

Candidates gave similar answers when asked if they would support the proposed road tax.

“I can’t see people paying more money for the same service,” Pareira said.

Mobley outright said he wouldn’t support the tax. Cervantes, Ford and Prado all agreed county roads need help, but were hesitant to support the tax and questioned the outcome and transparency of the proposal.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Candidates say Merced County should rethink budget priorities."