Mayor· 2025-2026
Brigit Bennington
Hesperia
About
Drawing on her background as a former city employee, Brigit Bennington's platform centers on the foundational needs of the city. Her primary priorities are securing essential funding to improve local infrastructure, specifically roads, and enhancing public safety services for Hesperia residents.
Campaign promises (2)
- infrastructureBennington prioritizes increasing funding for local roads.
- public-safetyBennington prioritizes increasing funding for public safety.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 19
- Total speaking time
- 2:23:54
- Avg per meeting
- 7:34
- Segments
- 3057
Want every word Bennington has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bennington said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Road and infrastructure projects
Storm repair costs are being handled through the emergency declaration, which allows expedited permits and fee waivers up to $5,000 for residents.
Storm season preparedness
Residents report thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in uninsured damage; one estimate cited was $30,000 for a single property.
Rock Springs Road traffic safety
No funded widening project exists yet.
Data center proposals in the High Desert
Unknown; a full independent analysis would likely require council funding.
zoning ordinance
No direct cost yet, but incentives like expedited permitting and density bonuses could shape what businesses come to town.
Comprehensive Development Code Update
Consultant work is budgeted through the project; the update itself aims to make fees and permitting more predictable for builders.
2025 California Fire Code adoption
A full sprinkler retrofit would cost the applicant roughly $100,000; the on-site hydrant is a cheaper alternative.
Animal Shelter Operations and Leadership
Staffing shortages at the shelter may carry overtime and care costs; none quantified.
Maple Avenue construction quality and detour routing
Poorly restored pavement and inefficient detours cost residents time and money — and could cost the city if work must be redone.
State storm recovery funding for Hesperia
Storm repair costs are being handled through the emergency declaration, which allows expedited permits and fee waivers up to $5,000 for residents.
City Council Meeting Start Time
Staff cited staff overtime costs as a driver of the earlier start; the 6 p.m. compromise may still affect overtime budgets.
Proposed Sales Tax Measure and Consultant Spending
Would add 1 cent per dollar to the sales tax rate, raising roughly $15 million a year from shoppers — including Hesperia residents themselves.
Topaz and Main Street intersection safety
Large warehouse development near Phelan Road and I-15 corridor
Roughly 351 construction-era jobs plus new tax revenue for city services, at the cost of unavoidable traffic and emissions impacts.
Fire flow analysis concerns
Unknown — the county feasibility study and possible city pump/tank investments are still being costed.
Traffic safety on Orchid Avenue curve
Over 53% of the city budget already goes to law enforcement, limiting room for added traffic enforcement.
Entertainment and youth amenities on the west side
New entertainment uses could bring sales tax revenue and local jobs, and reduce resident spending leaving the area.
Churches, schools and conditional use permits
Removing CUP requirements would lower costs for church developers; school traffic issues carry potential road improvement costs.
Alcohol sales rules for restaurants
Easing the permit path could make Hesperia more attractive to sit-down restaurants.
Fence ordinance selective-enforcement allegation
Decisions during term (108)
Recorded while Bennington was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of October 8, 2026 draft minutes
Adoption of 2025 California Fire Code (Public Hearing Item 10)
Joint consent calendar
Approval of September 10, 2026 draft minutes
Covington industrial warehouse — CUP 25-00005, SPLA 25-3, TPM 26-1, DA 26-1 and EIR certification
Approval of Joint Consent Calendar
Joint Consent Calendar
CDBG 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
Citywide User Fee Study Update (CPI adjustment)
Rescission of Resolution No. 2016-05 (refugee relocation opposition)
Approval of August 13, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Approval of June 4, 2026 Draft Meeting Minutes
Neighborhood Pride Enhancement Program Honoree Selection
Joint Consent Calendar (Items 1-6)
Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternates for League of CA Cities Conference
Consideration of the Draft Minutes from the Regular Meeting held Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Joint Consent Calendar (Items 1-7 and 9)
Revised Resolution Confirming Unpaid Enforcement and Abatement Costs (Item 8)
City Council Meeting Start Time Implementation (Item 10)
Consideration of the Draft Minutes from the Special Meeting held Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Voting record (9)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.