Mann, Panel Members Discuss Economic State of Menifee

A sold-out audience listened to public officials discuss the state of Menifee's economy Wednesday. By Michelle Mears-Gerst Menifee Ma...

A+ A-
A sold-out audience listened to public officials discuss the state of Menifee's economy Wednesday.

By Michelle Mears-Gerst

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann led the city’s annual economic forecast luncheon on Wednesday at the Menifee Lakes Country Club. The event organized by the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce sold out with many government leaders and local business owners in attendance.

“We are six years young. We started out in a recession,” said Mann, who reminded the audience how the odds were once stacked against the fledgling city when it incorporated. Mann was elected to the inaugural city council in June 2008.

Adding to the struggles of an already tough economy, Menifee was dealt a blow in 2011, losing almost 15 percent of its operating budget. Governor Jerry Brown stripped $3.9 million in vehicle license fees earmarked for the city. Despite the challenges, Menifee’s general fund has remained in the black.

“Let me remind you, many successful organizations like Disney and Microsoft started in hard economic times,” said Mann. “We are moving forward, building our brand and legacy for generations to come.”

A panel of speakers joined Mann in updating the audience on crime, jobs, health care, schools and community development.

Crime and public safety

Menifee Chief of Police Mike Judge said the police department recently added two new patrol officers and a motorcycle officer.

“In 2014 we had 41,000 calls for service,” said Judge, justifying the need to hire more officers. Judge reported in 2014 the response times to priority one, two and three calls were reduced by one minute.

“I did a little dance in my office when I read these response time numbers,” said Judge. The captain said he would release in the next few days the 2014 crime statistics for the city.

Menifee is currently ranked the second safest city in the county and Judge is focused on keeping crime down. The captain is concerned about the effects of certain voter-approved laws affecting local residents. A measure known as Prop. 47, the Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative, was approved by voters in 2014. The initiative reduces the classification of most "non-serious and nonviolent property and drug crimes" from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Judge said Prop. 47 is already creating issues in the city of Menifee and he plans to ask the city to hire more police officers.

Health System

Menifee Valley Medical Center Administrator Gregory Padilla gave updates on the community’s health services. Padilla has more than 25 years of senior executive hospital administration and finance experience. The hospital serves Menifee, Perris, Murrieta, Temecula and nearby unincorporated areas.

“We are working on recruiting doctors to come to the Valley and work and live here,” said Padilla.

Padilla spoke about his desire to see medical offices built in the growing community that currently has 83,000 residents. He also spoke about programs to be considered on speeding up the wait time in emergency rooms and adding more rehabilitation beds.

“We want to support the community and we are sensitive to what the city needs,” said Padilla.

Along with safe streets and hospitals, Mann said a city needs safe schools with quality teachers.

Future Educational Plans

The superintendent for the Perris Union High School District, Jonathan L. Greenberg, gave the audience a peek into plans for a new high school planned for Menifee. The new school is planned north of Scott Road on Leon Road. The comprehensive high school, which does not have a name yet, is not set to begin construction for at least two years.

Part of the delay in the school is funding.

“In 2016, we may be turning to voters to approve bond measures to build and modernize our schools,” said Greenberg.

Greenberg boasted about the program allowing undercover police officers to be allowed in the high schools.

“We recently had an all-clear search. The drug sniffing dogs didn’t find any drugs,” said Greenberg.

Economic Development

Economic Development Director Jeff Wyman said the city is open for business and he and his staff are actively recruiting new business to come into Menifee.

Commercial development is growing in the city, including the construction of commercial complexes such as a luxury movie theater that consists of 14 screens, a bowling alley and a sports bar and grill.

“Menifee is the center of trade in the county. We are prime for commercial business with over 740,000 people in our trade area,” said Wyman.

Developers are optimistic that with Menifee’s growing economic development, individuals and organizations will move to this city, and thus generate employment opportunities. The city currently has 25 projects under construction, and 25 projects waiting for approval.

In addition to the growing retail development, Wyman touched on the need to improve traffic flow, which leads to a better quality of life and adds to the attraction of businesses. With 33,000 new households on the near horizon, the city is moving on improving the freeway interchanges.

Menifee continues its quest to bring in a hotel. Wyman said he has been in talks with four or five developers for hotels but no plans have been submitted.

“Menifee is open for business and we encourage the community to continue giving us feedback on what they want,” said Mann in his closing comments.

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann (far right) discusses the city's economy with Police Chief Mike Judge, Medical Valley Medical Center administrator Gregory Padilla, School Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, and Economic Development Director Jeff Wyman.


Related

News 2058809165197282587

Post a Comment

Readers are invited to leave a comment to contribute to public dialogue. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator and will not be approved if they include profanity, defamatory or libelous comments, or may otherwise be considered objectionable by Menifee 24/7 editors.

emo-but-icon

Follow Us

ADVERTISERS












Hot in week

Recent

Comments

Subscribe Via E-mail

Have the latest articles and announcements on Menifee 24/7 delivered to your e-mail address.
Email Format
item