Mayor Bill Zimmerman's farewell message to residents

Editor’s note: The City of Menifee will hold a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. to recognize outgoing Mayor Bill Zimmerman and council member Lesa Sobek for their years of service, followed by the swearing-in of newly elected officials. There will be an opportunity for the public to speak during this meeting, and a reception following the meeting is planned. The new council will then conduct a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Here is a farewell message from Mayor Zimmerman.

I appreciate this opportunity to say "Thank you" for the privilege of serving this awesome city of Menifee, my hometown for over 35 years.

We can be proud that our city is one of the safest in California. With so many dining choices and recreational opportunities added in the last six years, it's impressive how we've improved our lifestyle for seniors, youth and everyone in between ... and we've accomplished this together.

In June of 2018, I was asked to serve the remaining 2 ½ years of the term of Mayor Neil Winter, who had sadly passed away unexpectedly. My friend Neil was known as the "People’s Mayor" because he gave 100 percent of his time to the role. He said yes to everything he was invited to, and what is most impressive is that he SHOWED UP. Mayor Winter set a precedent and I've done my best to follow his example.

I've learned that the Mayor serves the community, which is much more than City Hall. Community involvement means attending the meetings of service organizations, schools and youth programs, neighborhood HOA's, car clubs, art and history groups, women's clubs, veterans organizations, scout troops, and supporters of local businesses like our Chamber of Commerce. Looking back, I'm blessed to have cultivated positive relationships by engaging hand in hand with all of these community partners.

I'm honored to serve as Mayor with my council team during a period where we put the ceremonial shovel in the ground, then a year later cut the ribbon on the Scott Road Interchange widening and Holland Road Overpass. We welcomed a new 4-mile hiking and biking trail along Salt Creek channel, a new athletic stadium at MSJC, a new Fire Station 5, a ladder truck and medic squad, the new Menifee Library, numerous parks and sports fields, and a very cool BMX pump track named for a wonderful lady named Gale Webb, who's been an incredible role model to kids.

What a joy to have served alongside a dedicated City Council that functions well together. An ideal council respects its fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayer, and I know we've been prudent with our budgetary process each year. With a fiscally conservative approach, we've adopted reserve fund policies in recent years going from 15 percent when I started in 2018 to today's 40 percent. These funds can be used in future years during an economic downturn to maintain staffing levels for our first responders. Menifee has also paid our retirement pension costs in full each year to maintain zero unfunded liabilities, which many public agencies have been unable to do.

We've acquired the land and begun the funding and design for a new City Hall, two new community centers, and a future Garbani Road freeway interchange. Music and theater lovers are looking forward to the first performances that will be held at the amphitheater that's being upgraded at Central Park.

I'm grateful to our city manager and his team, whose valuable service to our residents is so appreciated. They really do a great job every day.

I'm especially thankful to my wife and my daughter for their understanding and support while I served as a public official for the city over the last 16 years as a planning commissioner, parks commissioner and then as your Mayor. Most importantly, I thank the Lord above for his goodness to us all.

In closing, I ask that you keep our city in your prayers, giving thanks for this beautiful place with so many kind and friendly people.

Sincerely,

Bill Zimmerman, Mayor