Right or wrong, the Board of Supervisors acted decisively when
it adopted the San Benito County Slow Growth Initiative.
Right or wrong, the Board of Supervisors acted decisively when it adopted the San Benito County Slow Growth Initiative.
But, perhaps in this case, a little more time would have benefited all of us so that a well-informed decision could have been made. More time was needed to study the long-range effects, good and bad, the initiative will have on San Benito County.
Less than one month ago, the initiative was thrust into the lap of the Board, where on March 4 supervisors referred the ordinance for a report on the effects it would have on the county.
Less than a month later, on Tuesday, April 1, supervisors were forced to make a decision – either adopt the ordinance outright or submit it to voters on the March 2004 ballot.
The study, which would help the Board make an informed decision, became available for review just four days before a decision had to be made.
Included in this review is an analysis of the initiative’s fiscal effect on the county. Analysts began their report by stating they were without economic forecasting models and lacked the resources to establish these models because of the short timeframe.
Also, in a draft feasibility study of the Transfer of Development Credits Program, it is stated that “the estimates found in this Feasibility Study are based on assumptions that will need to be confirmed through further study.”
And there’s more. A retail sales analysis for the county was requested to help the Board analyze the effects of the initiative.
The report began: “… due to the one-day turn-around time you have requested, my analysis will be limited; it does not look at historical trends in sales, or sales by type of business, both of which would make for a more complete analysis.”
Out of a county of 56,000 people, the Board relied on the opinion of a little more than 5,500 registered voters – out of more than 26,800 registered voters – to make a decision that affects every resident.
Right or wrong, was this a well-informed decision or a rush to judgment?
