El Dorado Hills votes against cityhood

El Dorado Hills voters went to the polls on Tuesday and decided they liked things just the way they are. After a hard-fought campaign from both sides, Measure P - the El Dorado Hills incorporation measure - only managed to muster 42.9 percent of electoral support from the 55.3 percent of registered voters who turned out to the polls.What once appeared to be a popular movement toward cityhood earlier in the campaign was torpedoed by an active and well-funded opposition backed by county interests, key endorsements and developer contributions.Despite the results, neither Measure P communication director Greg Jones or El Dorado County Auditor and Measure P opponent Joe Harn made too much of their respective outcomes."(The election) gave us a pretty solid base moving forward," Jones said of the 4,273 voters who supported incorporation, "highlighting some of the issues that brought about the whole discussion of cityhood (in the first place)."Issues like traffic, police services, the lack of sports fields, high school redistricting and concern over whether the county can accommodate El Dorado Hills' booming growth are all now more on the county's radar, said Jones.Harn is in agreement."42.9 percent think there needs to be a change and there will be a change if the county doesn't do a better job," said Harn. "The county has done some things to help the quality of life in El Dorado Hills, but we need to do a lot more."Harn points to the construction of a new library and senior center, as well as the recent progress made on a number of road projects, as proof that the county has been making an effort, but reiterates more needs to be done."Traffic is the biggest issue and the county needs to hurry up and complete the Silva Valley interchange," said Harn. Finally having a permanent director of transportation in Richard Shepard should help the county move forward on a number of gestating road projects that could bring relief to El Dorado Hills, added Harn.As for what happens next, Jones said there are no immediate plans to get back on the incorporation horse just yet, saying it's "time to take a step back and try to see the forest for the trees."It took both Elk Grove and Citrus Heights multiple attempts before incorporation succeeded, and while Rancho Cordova became a city on its first try, Jones said there was "arguably a more pressing need for changes in Rancho Cordova."For most in El Dorado Hills, though, life remains pretty rosy, and Jones said Measure P proponents have always maintained that the community is a great place to live, with city council candidate Bob Hollis calling it "heaven on earth."As a result, proponents had a tough time making the case that there was a need for incorporation, despite early indicators that growth may be outpacing county services."There is a window of opportunity here in El Dorado Hills and it's getting smaller all the time," said Jones. "And what people have to realize is, city or not, growth is coming.""I'm glad incorporation isn't going to happen immediately," said Harn, who was joined by El Dorado County Supervisors Helen Baumann and James Sweeney, as well as former supervisor Bob Dorr and Fire Chiefs' Association President Larry Fry in his opposition. But he is quick to point out, "I certainly don't feel like a winner."The slowing housing market was what worried Harn most about El Dorado Hills' viability as a city, though proponents insist there was more than enough revenue to make incorporation work.Harn also has high praise for Jones, who he said ran "a really good campaign," despite the drawback of having nearly 20 city council candidates making "it difficult to put out a consistent message."Because of Measure P's defeat, the crowded city council race became purely academic. The 19 candidates divvied up the votes pretty evenly, with top vote getter John Hidahl netting 8.9 percent of the vote. The El Dorado Hills Fire Department commissioner was joined by business owner Jeff Haberman, Community Services District director Larry Brilliant, sheriff's deputy Greg Murphy and county planning commissioner John Knight in the top five.Now that the election is over, Jones said, "I'm hoping the county is more receptive to things down here." But he fears the combination of covering a large geographical area and dealing with financial shortfalls could impact just how much attention El Dorado Hills gets."Do they have the financial wherewithal to do more than they are currently doing?" he asked.In regard to over-extended police services, at least, there may be some good news. Now that the incorporation measure has failed, a sheriff's substation in El Dorado Hills "is back on track," said Harn.