Voters To Decide On Cityhood For Jurupa Valley

RIVERSIDE (CBS) — Voters in unincorporated communities north of Riverside may approve cityhood for the Jurupa Valley Tuesday.

A simple majority is needed for incorporation to be approved for the 44-square-mile area, which encompasses Belltown, Glen Avon, Indian Hills, Jurupa, Mira Loma, Pedley and Sunnyslope.

"The time has come for us to become our own city to put our tax dollars to work for us and meet the needs of our community," according to a statement from the Yes on Measure A Committee.

The measure is one of two on Tuesday's ballot. The other is Measure B, which asks the roughly 30,000 registered voters in the proposed incorporation zone whether they would prefer to elect their five city council members by district or at-large, provided the vote for cityhood is approved. Sixteen candidates are vying for the seats.

If voters OK secession from the county, the new city of Jurupa Valley would come into being on July 1. According to ballot literature, the city would start with a budget of $4.55 million and should not be in a deficit at the start of its fiscal year.

Police, fire and most social services would continue to be provided by the county until the city decides to make a change.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)