Residents demand accountability over 18 years of unfulfilled promises

During a recent city council meeting, residents of Calexico voiced their frustrations regarding long-standing financial issues tied to a development project initiated 18 years ago. The project, which was intended to include 457 homes, a luxurious entrance, and a recreational center, has left the community grappling with significant debt after only 246 homes were built.

Ramon Cornejo, a community member, highlighted that the city had issued bonds amounting to $14.7 million for capital improvements, with the expectation that homebuyers would cover these costs. However, he expressed concern that the community is now burdened with annual payments of nearly $140,000 for public safety services, despite the lack of adequate police presence and infrastructure improvements. Cornejo criticized the city for what he described as \"double dipping\" on public safety fees and called for accountability regarding the developer's delinquency of $254,000 in Community Facility District (CFD) payments.

Another resident, Jose Njosa, echoed these sentiments, urging the council to engage with the financial advisory commission to address the ongoing issues of fund mismanagement and lack of transparency. He emphasized the need for community outreach and a formal resolution to the debt situation, which has been exacerbated by the city’s failure to make necessary payments.

Lorena Mino Montes, a self-identified expert on CFDs, raised concerns about the city’s inaction regarding foreclosures on properties that have not paid taxes for years. She urged the council to reconsider their approach to collecting taxes from residents, suggesting that the city could explore alternative methods to alleviate the financial burden on homeowners.

Residents collectively expressed their dissatisfaction with the city’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate action to rectify the financial mismanagement that has persisted for nearly two decades. They called for a town hall meeting to discuss potential solutions and to ensure that their voices are heard in the decision-making process. With an upcoming election, community members are determined to hold their elected officials accountable and demand the support they believe they deserve.