Hesperia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hesperia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Storm season preparedness
Mayor Pro Tem Pullen asked staff to bring back a presentation on the city's El Niño planning — sandbags, county coordination, and high-impact drainage basins — after last winter's storm damage.
Rock Springs Road traffic safety
Al Vogler flagged another head-on crash at Rock Springs Road and Glendale, where the road narrows to one lane each way. Staff confirmed no widening project is currently funded, though the county has a project in the area and the June CIP presentation may show more.
Vision Zero and Safe Streets Grant
Hesperia got one of the largest SS4A planning grants in California — about $1.5 million federal plus a $400,000 city match — to build a data-driven roadway safety plan. It also unlocks future safety grant dollars.
Traffic safety on Orchid Avenue curve
Multiple speakers described deadly speeding: three recent hit-and-runs on Cottonwood Avenue, repeated crashes on Rock Springs and Deep Creek Roads, and the deaths of two Sultana High School students in a street-racing crash. Speakers asked for enforcement, cameras, and road design fixes.
Failed sales tax measure and budget gap
Residents are still split over the council's rejection of the one-cent sales tax. Supporters say roads and police/fire staffing need the roughly $15 million; opponents, including Gregg and Lee, cite 1,100+ families behind on water bills and want spending cuts or asset sales instead.
Proposed Sales Tax Measure and Consultant Spending
The city is exploring a 1% sales tax that would raise about $15 million a year for streets, storm drains, and public safety. Polling shows strong voter support, but residents at the meeting pushed back, citing high costs of living and skepticism about how the city spends money. No ballot decision until July at the earliest.
December 2025 storm flooding and basin failure
Residents say the Maple Basin wasn't dredged or retrofitted before record rains, contributing to flooded homes and a road collapse that nearly killed two people. Council members defended staff, noted the county's role, and promised an after-action report.