The county’s legislative platform for 2013-2014 that includes seeking funding for health and social services, public safety and border infrastructure was approved by the county Board of Supervisors.
“Every two years, at the beginning of a legislature session in Sacramento and Congress in (Washington) D.C., we come before you to basically establish our goals for Legislature in the upcoming session,” said Bob Ham, who announced his retirement as the county’s intergovernmental relations director.
Ham, who was commended by the board for his years of service, also said the platform is a living document.
In addition, he pointed out that change in MediCal management is one area of legislative interest in the platform.
Furthermore, the legislative platform also points that the Sheriff’s Office, which contributes to Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area safety enforcement, should be fully funded for that effort.
Moreover, the document reads that the county will push realignment programs are fully funded by the state.
In terms of infrastructure, the county will ask for the inclusion in the fiscal budget for the Calexico West Port of Entry expansion.
The county will also seek funding to carry out an airport feasibility study, the document reads, and support a bill that facilities the transferring Bureau of Land Management land to the county to expand the Holtville airport.
The Salton Sea and the New River are also in the document.
While the county opposes any legislation that would result in a loss of local control over land use decisions, it will continue supporting Salton Sea restoration efforts and the prioritization of cleaning up the New River.
As far as agriculture, the document states the county will support funding for the Water Management Research Laboratory, as well as efforts to legalize the agricultural production of industrial hemp.
The document, however, didn’t mention the protection of the county’s water rights, said Farm Bureau Executive Director Linsey Dale, who suggested the item be added to the document.
The board approved Dale’s suggestion during the unanimous vote of approval.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
Meeting glance
Here are five things that happened at Tuesday’s meeting:
1 — The authorization of the Emergency Conservation Program, which provides funds to farmers whose infrastructure was affected by recent storms, was announced by county Agricultural Commissioner Connie Valenzuela.
2 — An agreement between the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center and the county for technical assistance to micro businesses was approved by the board. The agreement is worth some $70,000 and will benefit businesses under the Imperial Microenterprise Loan Program.
3 — Emergency repairs for the Clark Road bridge are expected to be finished in about two weeks, said county Public Works Director Bill Brunet.
4 — County Clerk of the Board and Registrar of Voters Sylvia Bermudez officially announced her resignation in an emotional speech before board members praised her years of service.
5 — New Heber Public Utility District General Manager Laura Fischer presented herself to the board. Fischer replaces John Jordan, who recently retired.
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