City of Fillmore

Carrie Broggie
Broadening the tax base in Fillmore is key to the community’s economic stability, and the business park plays a significant role in reaching that goal. Since the first Master Plan was released in 2008, the economic decline in our area, as well as the rest of the country, has given us pause on the original business park plan, and I will recommend that the Plan be re-evaluated in several areas.
For example: Re-evaluate the Development Impact Fees (DIFs) that each new business coming into the park is responsible for. (Schools, transportation, water, sewers, parks, etc.); Work with city staff and the businesses to create an equitable, workable, fee structure for the Common Area Infrastructure Formula (CAIF) to cover the costs of common roads, storm drains, levees, etc.; Alternatively, consider the inclusion of a Mello Roos fee to cover the DIF and CAIF. This would simplify the formulas currently in place, yet each business buying into the park would be contributing equitably.
I believe that changes to the above-referenced issues will make the business park a more attractive location for companies seeking establishment or relocation of their businesses. Without the confines of the fees structured in the original Business Park Plan, I believe that businesses will perceive the City of Fillmore as a “business-friendly” community.
Additionally, the current City Council has created the Fillmore Development Council – a 13-member council of business people who have varying degrees of experience in the business community within the state of California. While I would not want to put the responsibility of the development of this business park fully upon this council, I do have high expectations that the council, tasked with nothing other than attracting businesses to our community, will be instrumental in the success of the Fillmore Business Park.

Tim Holmgren
The business park promises not only to be vital to Fillmore’s future tax base, but also to the economic future of Fillmore’s citizens. It’s critical that we do everything we can to get the business park built and I’ve always believed that the best thing that government can do to help business grow and create jobs is to stay out of the way. If we want to see the business park develop and flourish, we need to make it as easier for them to get started.
How do we accomplish that? What is it that’s been in the way of development up to now? There are three major factors that need to be addressed. First, the development impact fees associated with developing the business park need to be revamped. The first developer to begin building can’t get hit with an enormous bill to pay. Second, the Common Area Infrastructure Fees (CAIFs) need to be modified for the same reason. We can’t make it so expensive to build that no one wants to get started.
Finally, we need to attract business to Fillmore. We need to actively and aggressively go out and find businesses that want to come to Fillmore and make it attractive for them to make the move. The city has already begun addressing all three of these factors and we’re moving in the right direction. The development impact fees and the CAIFs are being looked at to see how they can be adjusted to encourage developers. The Fillmore Development Council has been formed and is moving forward to identify and attract business.
What does Fillmore need to do to facilitate the success of the business park? We need to continue doing what we’ve already started.

Diane McCall
As a Planning Commissioner in 2005 I had the opportunity to review, comment and recommend the current business park project for approval. Today, in reflecting back to that original vision for what the business park would eventually become, I see a city that has persevered through some extremely challenging financial times, and yet our needs remain the same. As Council Members we set long term goals for a better community, and the business park has definitely been one of those goals. This critical project has always been earmarked to improve our financial health through an increased tax base and job creation. As a council member, I will ensure that we reach beyond Ventura County to locate and secure “employers” who are able to provide jobs, not just occupy space. We must locate and entice companies who may be manufacturers, warehousing or large equipment repair and sales that can enhance our tax base and provide viable employment opportunities for our residents. We will continue to re-vamp our development impact fees, making our location more financially appealing than our neighboring cities. It is important to market our selling points of our superior location due to our proximity to the Interstate 5, Highways 126 and 101. Our local employment base is rich with blue collar labor all the way up to college educated executives and our current housing mix is supportive of all employment classes, making Fillmore attractive to outside companies. Lastly, I will ensure that we are selective with the occupancy mix. We must market to companies that will be willing to partner with Fillmore and share in our long term goals and visions for a better community. It is important to remember that good council members react and GREAT council members have vision and work to make it happen.