John Pedrozo – incumbent in District 1

MERCED John Pedrozo hopes to enact policy that will reduce the crime rates in Merced County and support the Sheriff’s Office in his bid for a fourth term on the county board.

The incumbent is running against Livingston Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza.

“My three main priorities are: public safety; continuing to work on protecting agricultural land and water; and early childhood development,” Pedrozo said.

Pedrozo touted his experience and effectiveness on the county board and desire to continue shaping the county’s economic path forward as the reasons to be on the June 7 ballot for the Merced County District 1 supervisor position.

On deputy pay

Pedrozo said he supports the current direction the Board of Supervisors is running on contract negotiations with sheriff’s deputies.

“We have to find a way to retain deputies and have them fully compensated so we’re not losing deputies because of that,” Pedrozo said.

A high turnover rate has made it difficult for the Sheriff’s Office to retain good deputies.

But Pedrozo said the key is a fair process and compensation package that is predicated on being competitive with other counties’ deputy salary schedules.

That would help combat the increase in violent and property crimes that have risen in Merced County, according to crime statistics.

“I support the sheriff in whatever he needs (to lower crime rates),” Pedrozo said, noting that working with other public agencies is also a key factor.

On discretionary funds

The topic of the yearly $40,000 allocation that supervisors receive has been addressed at several candidate forums so far.

Supervisors tend to use that money on nonprofits or community projects.

Some candidates have favored eliminating the allocation. But Pedrozo sees value in it.

“I’m one of the ones that has used it for organizations and nonprofits that are having or need assistance,” Pedrozo said.

Pedrozo said the allocation is well warranted, but the board can perhaps look at putting any unused funds back into the budget instead of rolling it over for the next year.

Economic development

Pedrozo said he recognizes that it was important to remain vibrant in the No. 1 industry for the county, agriculture.

“We need to utilize our strengths,” Pedrozo said.

Pedrozo said he would support more job- and program-driven partnerships with colleges and universities, and work with economic development officials in the cities.

On a revenue-sharing agreement

The negotiations behind revenue-sharing agreements that would allow cities to annex land and build utilities for development were complicated, Pedrozo said.

He said while it’s important for cities to build out, maintenance of services also has to be part of the revenue-sharing discussion.

On marijuana

Pedrozo is in full support of the marijuana cultivation county ordinance in place, allowing up to 12 plants.

He said he is also in support of enforcement of the ordinance, while having “mixed emotions” on medical and recreational marijuana use.

But until a ballot measure is passed, the current measures taken by the county are fine, Pedrozo said.

On high-speed rail

Pedrozo said he supports the most recent developments in the high-speed rail project through the Central Valley, which put Merced County back on the discussion table for service.

“This is a huge win for Merced County to get it put back into the early phase,” Pedrozo said.

On half-cent sales tax

The proposed half-cent tax for road projects can be a way for Merced County to leverage federal support, Pedrozo said.

“No one likes taxes,” he said. “But I think it’s important for Merced to become a self-help county. It can help provide federal funding, with matching funds, and it can help expedite projects.”

On water management

Pedrozo said water is the county’s most precious commodity, considering its importance to the agriculture industry.

Instead of relying on state mandates, Pedrozo said the county should continue its current direction and form groundwater sustainability agencies.

“We need to be proactive on water storage,” he said.

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "John Pedrozo – incumbent in District 1."