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Victorville council reaffirms three Measure P oversight members amid restraining-order dispute over education appointee
Summary
The City Council extended terms for three Measure P oversight committee members and directed staff to recruit a new resident education representative after public testimony and council debate about a separate candidate who is subject to a permanent workplace restraining order.
The Victorville City Council on April 1 reaffirmed three members of the Measure P oversight committee and directed staff to recruit a new resident member for the education seat after public comment and extended council discussion about concerns tied to a different potential appointee.
The council voted to extend appointments for Mark Krefeld, Margaret Coker and Jeremy Taylor for an additional four years and to begin recruitment for the resident member of education position. The motion, moved by Council member Jones and seconded by Council member Godin, passed with Council members Godin, Jones and Mayor Pro Tem Herriman voting yes and Council members Irving and Mayor Becerra voting no.
The Measure P oversight committee reviews the annual Measure P budget and the Measure P audit and advises council whether expenditures align with the intent of Measure P, the transactions-and-use tax measure passed by voters in November 2020. Council staff said the committee has performed regular reviews of the Measure P fund and helped vet proposed expenditures before council action.
Public speakers raised concerns about one prospective or recently discussed education representative, citing a permanent workplace restraining order issued on March 19, 2025. Teacher Lauren Benson told the council she opposed extending or appointing an education representative who is subject to a restraining order and said the order requires the person to remain 100 yards from protected parties and to be accompanied by a security guard at certain meetings. Kimberly Smith, also a teacher, said she shared Benson's concerns and argued a person with a restraining order should not oversee taxpayer dollars.
Council member Jones said the committee’s role “necessitates trusted, respected members” and urged the council to consider the victims’ safety and public confidence in the committee. Jones said she was present at some hearings and described the judge’s finding as based on the high legal standard of clear and convincing evidence.
City staff and the city attorney advised the council that the committee’s bylaws set eligibility requirements and that a restraining order is not, by itself, listed as a disqualifier. The city attorney also told the council it retains discretion to appoint or remove committee members.
After debate, the council reaffirmed three members, declined at this time to reaffirm the education representative in question, and instructed staff to begin recruitment for that resident education seat.
The council’s action does not change the council’s final authority over Measure P spending; the committee provides advisory review of the budget and audit.
The matter drew multiple public speakers and extended council commentary, and the council’s decision was recorded as 3–2 in favor of the staff recommendation to reaffirm the three members and open recruitment for the education seat.
