Riverside County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Anza area power outages
A resident reported 22 outages in three years, 18 unannounced, leaving wells without water during fire season, and asked the board to investigate Anza Electric and Southern California Edison.
Verizon wireless tower on church property in Woodcrest
A disguised mono-pine cell tower will go up on church-owned land near Van Buren Boulevard, improving Verizon coverage in the area. The church, which leases the site, celebrated the approval after a multi-year process.
State of Good Repair funding for local transit operators
About $5.18 million in state State of Good Repair funds is being allocated to Riverside County transit operators for capital, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects.
Automated Passenger Counter System Replacement
RTA's current rider-counting software is being discontinued, so the board awarded a five-year, $414,325 contract to Urban Transportation Associates. The data feeds federal reporting and drives route planning and schedule decisions.
91/15 Express Lanes Back Office Consolidation
New contracts keep transponders stocked for the 91 and 15 express lanes after the old agreement expired in July 2025. Costs are shared with Orange County on the 91.
Waste and Recycling Rate Increases
Landfill rates will rise with inflation each year under a new multi-year structure; Riverside's $51-a-ton rate remains the lowest in Southern California.
SB 72 State Water Supply Planning
New state law requires the Department of Water Resources to set a 9 million acre-foot water supply target by 2040, with an advisory committee that includes WRCOG's TAC chair. Water supply planning matters for all the housing growth in the region.
Proposed state law would let LAFCOs initiate water/wastewater consolidations
Draft legislation from a UC Berkeley working group would let LAFCOs initiate annexations or reorganizations for water and wastewater service — currently they can only act on applications. It targets disadvantaged communities relying on wells or septic systems.
TDA Triennial Performance Audit
The state-required audit found RCTC compliant with all regulations but issued recommendations to transit operators, from fare studies to maintenance facilities. One commissioner questioned whether basic operational items need audit nudges.
Transit Ridership Recovery
Countywide transit ridership is still only about 71% of pre-pandemic levels, with Metrolink hit hardest. Smaller operators have fully recovered; staff cited service cuts, hybrid work, and workforce shortages.
Measure A Specialized Transit Funding
An extra $366,317 goes to three nonprofits providing rides for foster children, people exiting incarceration, and Idyllwild seniors — populations traditional bus service can't fully serve. The program is expected to deliver over 800,000 one-way trips this cycle.