The Coast News has asked the four candidates running for Vista City Council this November to participate in questionnaires about their stances on local issues.
Business owner Jeffrey Fox is running against Marine veteran and activist Anthony White for the District 2 seat, representing the Vista Civic Center, Vista Valley, and the Main Street area of downtown Vista. Incumbent Joe Green is not seeking re-election.
Running for the District 3 seat representing Breeze Hill, West Vista Village, Melrose and Grapevine are incumbent Katie Melendez and business owner Denisse Barragan.
All four candidates agreed to participate in the questionnaire and submitted responses via email.
Q: What would you say are the top issues facing your district?
FOX: The top issues for District 2 are public safety, housing and infrastructure, and economic development. Vista faces high violent crime rates and issues with youth gangs and drugs, with the fewest Deputies per capita in North County. I aim to increase law enforcement and I’m endorsed by the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and the Firefighters’ Association.
Housing costs in California are far above national averages, and many potential new units are becoming unaffordable. I will address affordability and infrastructure strain while maintaining Vista’s charm, which is why I’m endorsed by the Building Industry Association and Realtors Association. As a business owner and Vista Chamber of Commerce member, I understand the importance of small businesses in job creation and city culture.
I’ll streamline the process of opening businesses and support economic growth, which is why I am endorsed by the Lincoln Club Business League.
WHITE: Many residents are struggling with housing costs, and we need to ensure that new developments are accessible to everyone, including first-time homebuyers. Public safety remains a concern as Vista continues to grow, and we need to ensure our fire and police departments are properly funded. Finally, we must modernize our infrastructure, including our roads, sidewalks, and public facilities, to support the needs of our growing community.
BARRAGAN: The top issues facing District 3 include public safety, infrastructure improvements, and responsible economic growth. Many residents are concerned about traffic safety, especially on streets like Emerald Drive, where families desperately need safer routes to school. Public safety is a priority, as the community wants more support for our sheriffs to address crime effectively and ensure a safe environment for families.
Additionally, infrastructure, particularly the condition of major roads, needs attention to keep pace with Vista’s growing population. Economic growth that benefits local businesses and addresses the needs of our diverse community is also crucial; this includes supporting our Latino-owned businesses. I believe we can achieve this by supporting job creation, assisting small businesses, and improving our city’s infrastructure.
MELENDEZ: Homelessness and affordable housing are top issues throughout the region, but under my leadership, we are leading the charge and addressing homelessness in a dignified way. I’ve brought in over $10 million in grants to the city, funding programs like our new homeless shelter, safe parking, and rental assistance. Safety has been a top issue while serving on Vista City Council.
I am improving neighborhood infrastructure to make streets safer. I secured $1.8 million in streetlights and implemented traffic calming and safe routes to school. I increased the budget for law enforcement by over $3.3 million per year, including a new Sheriff’s Deputy for traffic enforcement. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Vista Firefighters Association.
Sustainability is a core issue as we are shocked by the impacts of climate change. Our community must prepare for serious challenges, including extreme heat and new disease-carrying mosquitoes. I successfully implemented 100% renewable energy in Vista.
Q: How do you believe the city should balance state-mandated housing requirements while still maintaining local control? Does the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process need to be reformed, and if so, what does that look like?
FOX: Vista has already surpassed its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) targets, so we aren’t at immediate risk of losing local control. However, the RHNA fails to address the underlying reasons developers hesitate to build. Simply zoning for more homes does not lead to construction; reducing costs for developers is essential, as cities do not build housing — developers do.
To increase housing supply, local governments must create a streamlined and consistent approval process for projects. This involves setting a maximum review time and preventing delays over non-safety issues. Additionally, cities should limit capital improvements for projects that comply with existing zoning.
Notably, projects approved through state-mandated processes like SB35 are exempt from many California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, unlike those undergoing the typical discretionary process. Simplifying these procedures will help ensure more projects get built, maintaining local control over housing.
WHITE: Balancing state mandates with local control requires careful planning. While we must meet housing mandates, we should ensure that any development aligns with Vista’s unique character. The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process should consider local input more meaningfully and encourage smart growth, such as mixed-use developments and higher density in appropriate areas.
Reforming RHNA should focus on giving cities the flexibility to meet state requirements in ways that make sense for their specific communities.
BARRAGAN: While meeting state-mandated housing requirements is important, local control allows us to tailor solutions to Vista’s unique needs. The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process needs reform to allow cities more flexibility in meeting these requirements without sacrificing the character of our neighborhoods.
We should advocate for adjustments that consider the specific growth patterns, infrastructure capacity, and community concerns of cities like Vista. By working closely with local stakeholders and planning thoughtfully, we can balance growth with the preservation of Vista’s character, ensuring that new developments align with our infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
MELENDEZ: I am proactive about planning and community development. Getting the community involved in shaping our city is the best way to go. I have been implementing a lot of the community feedback, from turning vacant commercial space into housing to tiny homes and smaller units. We should build the housing our community needs and comply with state guidelines.
Families are looking for first-time home-buying options and more affordable rentals. As someone who grew up in a poor family in Vista I will continue to fight to ensure families have an opportunity to stay in Vista. There is potential for reforms, however they seem to result in wealthier cities skipping out on building housing for families, only to continue to exclude working-class people from certain communities.
Q: What actions would you propose in order to improve the city’s response to the local homelessness crisis?
FOX: We have yet to see the full effects of Vista’s recent Encampment Ban in response to the governor’s call to clean out encampments. This prohibition doesn’t magically solve the problem, so we need to make sure that we have beds in place to take these people off the streets, and most importantly a process within these locations to work towards re-integrating them into the labor force and society.
Almost every offer to take a homeless resident to a shelter is declined, so the ban gives Law Enforcement tools to encourage homeless residents into these programs through legal methods such as deferment deals. Most of our residents who have been experiencing homelessness for a long period of time are suffering from addiction or mental health issues and are unable or unwilling to get help. It is not compassionate to leave our most vulnerable citizens to sleep on the streets.
WHITE: As a linearly decade-long homelessness advocate and formerly homeless resident, I am deeply concerned with addressing this issue. We need a compassionate, multi-faceted approach to homelessness. This includes expanding housing assistance programs, improving access to mental health and addiction services, and fostering partnerships with nonprofits and county resources.
We should focus on housing-first models that provide immediate shelter and stability while offering pathways to long-term solutions. Collaborating with regional leaders on supportive housing developments and ensuring resources are allocated effectively is also critical.
BARRAGAN: To improve Vista’s response to homelessness, we need a balanced approach that combines compassionate assistance with safety measures. I support expanding partnerships with organizations like Solutions for Change, which offer job training, housing, and other services for families.
By addressing the root causes of homelessness, like addiction and mental health issues, we can provide long-lasting solutions. With the recent Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, cities now have clearer authority to enforce public camping restrictions, and Governor Newsom has issued mandates for California cities to address unsafe encampments.
This guidance provides a path forward to reduce encampments, especially in areas like Hacienda Drive, so that families can once again feel safe in our parks and public spaces.
MELENDEZ: As a former social worker now serving as Deputy Mayor, I got involved with government advocacy because I saw my community suffering. Under my leadership, we now have life-saving interventions for people on the street. Our strategic plan to address homelessness is award-winning, and I’ve brought in over $10 million in grants for homelessness programs.
The next step for our city is to plan ahead for the future. Currently, we are looking for a permanent home for our emergency shelter and building public housing. Our council needs to continue and support these projects, and I’m the only candidate in this race who supports more affordable housing. I am also dedicated to increasing community involvement to review our programs and make sure our response to homelessness works for everyone impacted by this issue.
Q: How would you ensure fiscal responsibility as a council member? What are some ways that the city can raise revenues?
FOX: The City of Vista is one of the only cities in North County that is financially solvent and has a fully-funded emergency fund. My job will be to keep it that way. As a business owner, I must be vigilant about keeping my expenses within budget by finding ways to be more efficient with what we have.
I believe that adding a tax would be a failure on the part of the government to be responsible with taxpayer funds. If we want to increase revenues, we need to create wealth in our community, not take more money from people who are already struggling. I will do this by focusing on economic development and creating a more vibrant business community here in Vista.
WHITE: To ensure fiscal responsibility, I would advocate for regular audits of city spending to identify inefficiencies and ensure funds are being used effectively. We can raise revenues by supporting local businesses through initiatives like my plan for an “All Day In Vista” campaign, encouraging residents to shop locally. Expanding tourism by promoting Vista’s breweries, arts, and parks will also help increase city revenues through transient occupancy and sales taxes.
Additionally, we should seek state and federal grants for infrastructure improvements, public safety enhancements, and environmental projects, allowing us to fund necessary services without raising taxes on residents. Exploring public-private partnerships for certain city projects, such as developing new community spaces, could also provide additional revenue while minimizing costs to taxpayers.
BARRAGAN: As a business owner for almost 18 years, I know that ensuring fiscal responsibility means focusing on essential projects and avoiding unnecessary expenditures. I support the approach taken by Mayor John Franklin, who has kept Vista financially stable without tax increases while surrounding cities have a tax initiative on their ballots.
I understand the importance of prioritizing resources and directing funds toward areas with the most community impact, like infrastructure and public safety. We can raise revenue by promoting local economic growth, supporting our business community, and attracting new businesses to Vista.
Strengthening our local economy will increase revenue and create more job opportunities for residents, helping the Vista community prosper.
MELENDEZ: Under my leadership, the city of Vista has sound fiscal health. While other cities are facing deficits and going back to the citizens for more taxes, I have never raised taxes. We have been friendly to business and I would like to see continued growth in our cannabis industry and in entertainment and hospitality. Vista is a wonderful place to be! I’m leading discussions on the Avo Theater, to revitalize the space and allow for more entertainment and patronage to our downtown.
To save on future costs, we are fixing our infrastructure and making improvements that will last generations. I have successfully advocated for grant funding, such as securing $850,000 for Emerald Drive roadway improvements. These funds allowed us to create a shovel-ready design and plan, making us more competitive for construction grants. I also worked with state Sen. Catherine Blakespear to bring in $5 million for our new homeless shelter.
Q: Do you support Vista’s stakeholder committee process for selecting city department heads that was adopted in 2022? Why or why not?
FOX: I believe that more transparency in the hiring process is a good thing, even if the policy may have some negative side effects. Including stakeholders in a more public process does help remove some risks of nepotism or inferior candidates getting positions due to personal relationships or favors. It creates more buy-in from the city, as the selected department head knows they had the support of multiple other City officials, and so far, I believe it has led to some great department heads being hired.
Now, it is important that we bring in the correct stakeholders and have some level of accountability since they may have their own biases. Overall, I believe the pros outweigh the cons, but I would have to discuss the effects with our City Manager and other council members to see how the policy has turned out in practice.
WHITE: Yes, I support the stakeholder committee process because it promotes transparency, community involvement, and accountability in the selection of department heads. Ensuring that residents have a voice in choosing city leaders is essential to fostering trust in local government.
By including diverse stakeholders in the process, we can ensure that department heads are well-qualified and aligned with the community’s needs and priorities.
BARRAGAN: Yes, I support the stakeholder committee process for selecting city department heads. This approach promotes inclusivity and transparency and ensures that diverse perspectives are considered. It allows community members, local leaders, and stakeholders to have a say in decisions that directly impact our city.
Including input from a broad range of voices ensures that department heads are selected based on qualifications and alignment with community priorities. This process also fosters accountability and builds public trust in our city’s leadership.
MELENDEZ: Yes, I voted for the inclusive hiring process because I am committed to excellence and transparency for the taxpayers. Since implementing the policy, we have seen better morale, more career advancement opportunities, and greater public trust.
The City Council is not involved in hiring department heads, but our policy sets an expectation that our city manager would follow a transparent process in hiring these high-salaried positions.
