Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Frequently Asked Questions

You could not of done what you did in your fight against the annexation if a MAC had been in place. -   NEW!!

Of course, we could.  The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition could have existed and won irrespective of a Yucca Mesa MAC.  The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition is a totally separate entity from the Town, a MAC, government, or any improvement association.  If a Yucca Mesa MAC were present, the Coalition would have done exactly what it did to win the fights.  If a MAC were in place, the Coalition and other members of the public could have expressed their concerns at the MAC meeting.  The Coalition stands alone and will continue to stand alone as the Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition Watchdogs, independent from any government or private organization.  The Coalition was able to "turn on a dime."  It did not need Board or Council approval to buy stamps, signs, or paper for newsletters,  permission to print flyers or Board/Council review of position papers.  It acted independently and will continue to do so.  The Coalition's goal was focused on stopping the Town from placing an SOI upon Yucca Mesa and preventing annexation.  In the final analysis, LAFCO confirmed they received over 3300 protests.

I would like to know why you are so sure a MAC would help the people of the mesa? You could not have run your Stop the Annexation under the MAC.  The representatives are appointed by the supervisors.  The people have no input.  -  NEW!!

First, unlike HVCC and YMIA, the MAC is subject to the Brown Act.  This difference between a MAC and HVCC/YMIA is monumental.  The Brown Act was enacted with the goal of preventing back room deals.  Second, no dues or fees are collected from the people.

There are many advantages to a MAC as listed HERE.

You are absolutely right!  The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation can not be "run under the MAC" nor would we want to.  However, the people could add the issue to the MAC Agenda and address the issue at a MAC meeting where the people do provide their input to the MAC, who would, in turn, express those concerns directly to Supervisor Derry.  If HVCC or YMIA had some issues relating to Yucca Mesa, they could attend the MAC meeting and provide input also.  

Can a MAC stop any encroachment by the Town? - NEW!!

The Coalition never said a MAC would stop encroachment.  While a MAC is not full protection from the Town of Yucca Valley to include the Community of Yucca Mesa in their Sphere of Influence with eventual annexation, the Joshua Tree MAC has been in existence for over 15 years and was  influential in combating Yucca Valley's attempt to annex them.  It worked for them, why not give it a try?

Note that ONLY an incorporation can totally stop Yucca Valley from attempting annexing the Community of Yucca Mesa, and LAFCO advises that the Community of Yucca Mesa does not have the tax base to become incorporated.  Further, Yucca Mesans don't want any more taxes.

The Community of Yucca Mesa is  vulnerable to the Town of Yucca Valley.  Anything we can legally do to organize and keep residents informed is helpful.  All organizations are useful in spreading the word to protect the Community of Yucca Mesa.

The Town of Yucca Valley's Municipal Service Review noted a reason to place a SOI with eventual annexation on the Community of Yucca Mesa:

"How to provide accountability to residents to the proposed SOI area

Institutional structure limits the ability of the residents of the proposed SOI area [Yucca Mesa] to have their voices heard and influence the County's provision of local services.  The County's third district supervisor represents 160,976 registered voters.  In contrast each member of the town council represents only 1862 registered voters.  The requested SOI amendment would provide more accountability to residents."

There are approximately 1500 registered voters in the Community of Yucca Mesa.  A MAC would provide all 1500 voters with a total representation of 300 per council member for a five-member MAC council.  Yucca Valley could no longer use their "accountability to residents" as an argument the next time the Town tries to SOI or annex us again.

Note that the Town, a legal government, wanted to replace the County of San Bernardino, a legal government.  We have a choice.  Do we want the Town or do we want the County? The Community of Yucca Mesa residents overwhelmingly expressed that they want the County and want to be left alone.  We now need to show that we DO have legal representation through a MAC.

The Community of Yucca Mesa's choices are limited.  According to the Community of Yucca Mesa survey, we want to be left alone.  We like our lifestyle the way it is.  We don't have the tax base to incorporate, but that's the way we like it.  We don't want to pay any more taxes.  With those parameters, our only real choice to show legal governance is to form a MAC that is obligated to follow the Brown Act rules.

Just because we won this round, does not mean we are done.  We are going to need to take the Town's arguments in favor of SOIing or annexing us and defend against them for ... the next time.  The formation of a MAC is only the first important step.

What can the Council do for me?

The Council will hold a business meeting/open forum meeting each month. The community will be welcome and encouraged to attend. To know about your community, you must be informed about what is going on in that community.  Local community service organizations can make important announcements. If a member of the public would like to make a comment or raise an issue for the Council to consider, they can also do that at the MAC meeting.  Meetings are usually held monthly.

Why isn't Yucca Mesa a City or a CSD?

The cost of operating a city is quite expensive. Yucca Mesa does not have a strong enough tax base to provide for that expense. This is due to such factors as lack of businesses and size of population.  (Note:  Yucca Mesans like it that way.)

Will a Yucca Mesa MAC replace the Yucca Mesa Improvement Association (YMIA) and the Homestead Valley Community Council (HVCC)?

YMIA and HVCC are independent corporations.  A MAC can not replace them.  All three organizations co-existed in the past and can co-exist again.

If a member of the public would like to make a comment or raise an issue for the MAC Council to consider, they can do that in the monthly MAC meetings.

If a person wants to ask questions of representatives from our County Supervisor's office, the Sheriff's office, the Fire Department, the School District,  the California Highway Patrol, and/or the High Desert Water District, then this would be the meeting to attend.  Land Use issues are also discussed and Hearings will be conducted right on Yucca Mesa (not San Bernardino).

If local community service organizations want to get the word out on what they’re doing, the MAC meetings are the time and place to make announcements.

Do you have a question?  Ask it below, and we'll answer it on this page.

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