EASTVALE, CA – Diversity in thoughts and opinions is what helps create a healthy and vibrant community.  The evolution, growth, development, and future of our young city ultimately relyon the tough yet crucial conversations, such as the topics mentioned below, that we have been having as a community.  In an effort to remain fiscally responsible and to provide the best customer service experience to our residents and businesses, the City of Eastvale continually evaluates the best services for the best value. The suggestions that came out of these topics are a result of the City of Eastvale’s robust community engagement efforts and strategic plan.  The City of Eastvale’s strategic plan can be found at: http://bit.ly/eastvale-strategic-plan.

Eastvale Continues Contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department & Evaluates Law Enforcement Substation

About a year ago, with the projection of historical rate increases of 7-9 percent, Riverside County discussion of putting more law enforcement  costs  on  local  agencies,  continually  hearing  from  residents  that  they  would  like  an  increases  law  enforcement presence, along with the City of Menifee conducting a Feasibility Study to create their own Police Department, the City of Eastvale evaluated whether it made sense to form its own police department as a way to direct policy establishment, ease of information distribution, and leverage local resources.  There were many opportunities for public input on public safety priorities to include: the Public Safety Budget Workshop in March 2019, the City Council Meeting in March 2019, the Public Safety Commission Meeting in March 2019, the Public Workshop for Public Safety Priorities to include a Facebook Live event in July 2019, and at the City Council Meeting on September 25, 2019.

In the end, Sheriff Chad Bianco was ultimately able to reduce the projected rate increases and created a command staff to work with City Managers and County staff to identify future saving opportunities.

At the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, the City Council provided direction to not pursue creating a local police department at this time. The City of Eastvale is hopeful that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department continues to collaboratively explore ways to keep rates low and identify ways to align their services with our unique values and needs.

The City Council also provided direction to explore opportunities to build a law enforcement substation within Eastvale city limits.  Some of the advantages of having a substation in Eastvale are that deputies could be able to report directly to Eastvale, potentially improving response times and coverage. A law enforcement substation can also help our residents have a greater connection to the local deputies that serve our community.

A potential location option for a law enforcement substation is at the intersection of Riverboat Drive and HamnerAvenue.  Fire Station 27, just south of this intersection has surplus land that could be leveraged as a potential law enforcement substation with the vacant adjacent parcel. This site could allow opportunity for a unified public safety command center by locating a law enforcement substation next to Fire Station 27.

Eastvale Pursues Economic Development for New Revenue Opportunities

The City of Eastvale explored a financial priorities discussion with the City Council and the community to gain a better understanding on what and when the community desired the City to deliver enhanced services, programs, and projects such as a Civic Center (City Hall and Public Library), Enhanced Public Safety (Law Enforcement and Fire Services), and infrastructure (roads, trails, traffic signal synchronization, etc.). There were many opportunities for public input on financial priorities to inlcude:  the Public Safety Budget Workshop in March 2019, the City Council Meeting in March 2019, the Public Safety Commission Meeting in March 2019, the Public Workshop for Financial Priorities to include a Facebook Live event in June 2019, and at the City Council Meeting on September 25, 2019.

At the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, the City Council provided direction to focus on Economic Development to enhance revenues to provide services to the community.  The City Council also provided direction to not pursue a sales tax measure on the ballot at this time.  As a result, the City Council approved a Business Incentive Loan Policy to help attract and expand businesses within Eastvale.

In Eastvale, there is a $71-million-dollar sales tax leakage in the food and beverage industry, which equates to approximately $713,000 in potential sales tax revenue each year; if each dollar spent is taxable.  When residents are eating outside of our city, that money is going to other communities and contributing to services those cities provide for their residents.  We want to create opportunities for our residents to stay in Eastvale and eat local.  The City also has an opportunity to create unique dining experiences that help attract others from throughout the region.

In order to capture that potential revenue, the City will need to enhance and diversify restaurant choices and options.  In our recent Community Satisfaction Study, when residents were asked what would enhance the quality of life for them, elevating dining was one of the top responses.  It is the City’s goal to create a food destination and experiences.  In addition to attracting and recruiting restaurants to Eastvale, the City of Eastvale is committed to recruiting businesses that will create a broad base of revenue for our city by means of sales tax, property tax, transient occupancy tax, and job creation. These revenues can allow the City to enhance and provide our residents with quality services they need and deserve.

The City of Eastvale is also thrilled to share we have several new restaurants and a hotel opening within our cityand we will have many more to announce in the coming months. The City Council Restaurant Ad-Hoc Committee and City staff are working collaboratively with our development and broker community to recruit and attract restaurants that will exceed Eastvale’s expectations.

About the City of Eastvale

The City of Eastvale was founded on October 1, 2010 as an independent local government agency, governed by a five-member, elected City Council.  The City of Eastvale serves over 73,700 residents and encompasses 13.1 square-miles in western Riverside County.  The City is strategically poised between Interstate 15 and California State Routes 91, 60, and 71, making access easy for residents, visitors and businesses alike.  Eastvale is a young and dynamic community filled with economic opportunity, tremendous growth, and strong values.  For more information on the City of Eastvale, please visit: www.EastvaleCA.gov