MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – This week District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock offered community members his annual “State of the County” update, covering issues from finances to roads.
Comstock's remarks were given Wednesday before a full house at the Middletown Senior Center as part of the monthly meeting of the Middletown Luncheon Club, which welcomed Comstock as its first guest speaker of 2015.
He spoke of the county's financial situation as well as its focus for the coming year, highlighting information of particular concern to residents of the Middletown area.
A budget of $188 million was passed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors this fiscal year.
Comstock said while the amount isn't ideal, it is more than the $174 million budget that was adopted three years ago, which he said he thought to be lowest in recent years.
“Lake County has always been a challenging place to live,” he said, citing constraints, financial and otherwise, endured by residents of the county. “It's always been tough to make here, but it is worth it.”
Comstock said the budget was affected by decreases in tax revenues. He said the county experienced a slight decrease in property taxes, down about four-tenths of a percent.
“It's not a big drop but you don't really want any loss in property taxes,” he said.
Sales tax revenues, Comstock said, are about 20-percent lower than they were at their highest in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
A substantial drop in transient occupancy tax revenues throughout the past several years, he said, contributes significantly to a loss of county tax revenues.
“We took a major hit when Konocti (Harbor Resort & Spa) closed and we haven't recovered from that yet,” he said.
Comstock said the focus in the coming year will be on code enforcement and the eradication of illegal marijuana cultivation sites.
Roads, he said, will be another area of focus.
“There are 600 miles of roads in the county and the road department is struggling to get to them,” he said. “They are doing the best they can with the funds they have.”
Comstock highlighted road projects in the Middletown area.
He said while the installation of stop signs at Highway 29 and Hartmann Road are working well to improve the safety of the area, the project is not complete.
Ideally, Comstock thinks a stop light would work best. The installation of a roundabout is planned to complete the project in 2017.
“The state is enamored with roundabouts right now, and they are very expensive,” he said.
A major road project that's ahead, Comstock said, is the replacement of the Troutdale Creek bridge on Highway 29 on Mount St. Helena. The project includes widening of lanes in both directions of the bridge's approach.
“Construction is supposed to start this spring. So, if you're traveling that way, remember to expect delays,” he said.
Comstock concluded his address with news that was received with applause.
He said funds are budgeted to complete the landscaping and other final details at the new community park in Middletown this year.
“It's going to get done,” he said.
Middletown Senior Center Executive Director Lori Tourville said the organization appreciates the opportunity to host the Middletown Luncheon Club, which she said garners the center about $1,200 a year.
The funds, she said, help support senior nutrition programs such as Meals On Wheels.
“Homebound seniors are having a hard time donating money for their meals,” Tourville said. “We ask for $5 but seniors pay what they can. The average donation for an in-house meal is $4.25. The average donation for Meals-On-Wheels is $1.30. That's where we have to raise funds to make up the difference.”
The Middletown Senior Center will hold its annual “March for Meals” fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28.
The event will include a walk through town and the new park, which is located adjacent to the center; a luncheon and a craft fair.
For more information, contact the Middletown Senior Center at 707-987-3113 or visit www.middletownseniorcenter.org .
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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