Got Questions?
Answers to those frequently asked

Why is there an effort to become incorporated and who is leading it?
The Menifee Valley Incorporation Committee (MVIC) was established in March 2001. Its formation was based on widespread community consensus to explore the feasibility of incorporating as an independent city.

What is LAFCO?
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) established in each county by California's Cortese-Knox Local Government Reorganization Act of 1985 controls local agency formation, annexations (the addition of territory to an existing city) and incorporations (creation of a new city).
The Riverside County LAFCO Commission is composed of two county supervisors selected by the Board of Supervisors; two city council representatives selected by a majority of the mayors in the county ; two special district board members selected by the special district selection committee and one public member selected by the other six members. There is an alternate for each category - city, county, special district and public.

Will there be a tax increase?
NO. The LAFCo process dictates that the new city must show the ability to support and sustain itself over the long term utilizing existing revenue sources. State law prohibits an incorporation to occur that would require a tax increase to the residents or businesses without at least a two-thirds majority vote of the residents.
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How did the boundaries of the proposed city get established?
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) established the original boundaries of the Menifee Valley in 1994 after many meetings and several public hearings. The boundaries were established to protect our community from piece-meal annexation from neighboring cities and with the intent that the area would one day become a city. LAFCo's current policies determine reorganizations to provide a more efficient delivery system of services. Study Areas 2 & 3 were added because residents in those areas identify more closely with the Menifee area and to maximize the opportunity for financial feasibility.
The current boundaries are contiguous with the surrounding cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Murrieta and the future City of Wildomar. The eastern boundary is roughly Briggs Road and the unincorporated area of Winchester.
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What are the primary benefits of Cityhood?
Direct control over the city's tax dollars is one benefit. Locally generated revenues such as sales tax, property tax, franchise fees and motor vehicle fees that currently go to the County will remain in the city. The locally-elected city council will make decisions regarding the community's tax dollars, rather than the County spending these funds as they desire on projects and services which may not be a priority for this region. The level of services such as law enforcement provided to the city will be prioritized by the residents and businesses of the city. Other benefits include the ability to gain direct local decision making authority over land-use planning and development policies.
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How will becoming a city affect communities with homeowners' associations or senior-only communities?
The status, structure and responsibilities of Master Associations and Homeowner Associations will not change. These facilities will remain privately held under their current associations, and there will be no change in accessibility or restrictions for their use other than what is currently in place. Private parks that are publicly accessible will remain as such. Gated facilities and the gated communities will remain subject to the same access and restrictions as are currently established.
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Will the new city have a voice in current regional issues such as: transportation, energy and housing?
Yes. The City of Menifee Valley will be represented on a number of organizations and public entities such as the Riverside Transportation Commission, Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), and the League of California Cities. This will bring our community's collective voice, currently unheard while under county jurisdiction, to the table, and become a significant contributor to the most important issues that face our area today.
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How will businesses within the new city benefit?
Businesses will have a direct voice in the economic development of the city. By working with a locally-elected city council, the business community will be presenting its ideas for fostering economic growth within city boundaries. Businesses will be able to directly participate in the decisions regarding levels of public services provided to the business community and business centers via the actions of a city council.
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How will Cityhood affect school districts in the Menifee Valley?
The incorporation of our community will not affect the Menifee Union School District, Romoland Union School District or the Perris Union High School District. School districts are independent governing bodies with autonomous decision-making authority. The new city could provide leadership and advocacy for its residents on issues such as school safety, performance accountability and district reorganization / transfer issues.
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How does the Cityhood efforts affect the redevelopment areas of Romoland, Sun City and Quail Valley?
The redevelopment project areas within the boundaries would not be affected by the incorporation of the new city. Redevelopment funds collected for this area would continue to be administered and overseen by the Redevelopment Agency for the County of Riverside and its Board of Directors.

How did the boundaries of the proposed city get established?
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) established the original boundaries of the Menifee Valley in 1994 after many meetings and several public hearings. The boundaries were established to protect our community from piece-meal annexation to neighboring cities and, with the intent that the area would one day become a city. LAFCo's current policies determine reorganizations to provide a more efficient delivery system of services. Study Areas 2 & 3 were added because residents in those areas identify more closely with the Menifee area and to maximize the opportunity for financial feasibility.

The current boundaries are contiguous with the surrounding cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Murrieta and the future City of Wildomar. The eastern boundary is roughly Briggs Road and the unincorporated area of Winchester.
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