Residents criticize Hemet annexation process at council meeting after LAFCO vote

Several residents used the Jan. 27 public comment period to sharply criticize the council’s handling of a proposed annexation effort and to describe recent outside actions affecting the process.

Jenny Hess said she attended a LAFCO meeting where the commission voted 6–0 to adopt a policy called "policy b4," which she said nullified a Hemet United petition and required the annexation proponents to restart the process. Hess told the council she reviewed a county draft fiscal‑impact analysis that, she said, showed a negative fiscal impact to the city "to the tune of $19,000,000," and she urged the council to prioritize transparency and to address community concerns instead of moving forward with annexation as previously proposed.

Other speakers described being targeted or slandered during the annexation debate, called for better public engagement and town halls, and urged council members to ask tougher questions of staff and applicants. Several speakers also raised separate matters during general comment—concerns about police conduct and body cameras, calls to preserve historic trails and sites, and appeals on behalf of local cultural assets such as Hemet’s municipal shuffleboard facilities.

Council members acknowledged the comments and some praised LAFCO for actions described by speakers; staff noted the separate administrative processes involved in annexation, LAFCO jurisdiction and county fiscal analyses. The council did not take a formal vote on annexation at the meeting but several speakers said they hope the council will change course based on recent developments.