The City of Moreno Valley was ranked one of the financially strongest cities in the United States, according to an analysis of city fiscal strength by The Fiscal Times.  Moreno Valley was ranked third in the survey of 116 cities with populations over 200,000.

Chicago and New York City ranked at the bottom of the analysis of fiscal strength based largely on 2015 financial reports.   

The Fiscal Times credited Moreno Valley’s modest debt loads and large general reserve funds for helping the city rise to the top of the rankings.

Moreno Valley’s “presence near the top of the list is testimony to California’s economic recovery, but it also suggests that sound financial management practices make a difference,” The Fiscal Times wrote.

Despite facing similar challenges that bankrupted other cities, Moreno Valley avoided a fiscal crisis during the Great Recession, “apparently because officials showed greater discipline with respect to spending and borrowing,” according to The Fiscal Times.

The ratings were based on five factors:

• The ratio of a city’s general fund balance to its expenditures

• The ratio of its long term obligations to total government-wide revenues

• The ratio of actuarially determined pension contributions to total government-wide revenues

• Change in local unemployment rate

• Change in property values

Moreno Valley took a highly disciplined, methodical approach to meet the challenges of the nationwide recession.  A multi-year Deficit Elimination Plan carefully phased spending cuts, while preserving key public services.  Swift action by the City Council completely erased Moreno Valley’s structural deficit even sooner than planned, balancing the budget in 2013.  As a result, the City’s General Fund has remained fully balanced for four consecutive years and the General Fund Reserve has increased to pre-recession levels.  

“The City of Moreno Valley is proud of our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility which allows us to continue delivering the services our residents expect and deserve in the most cost-efficient manner,” said Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian A. Gutierrez.  “It is clear that our efforts to create jobs – including 9,000 new jobs over the last three years - and to compete locally, nationally and internationally to attract businesses to Moreno Valley are working to expand the local economy and enhance the quality of life for our residents.”

Read The Fiscal Times article here.  See the complete rankings here.

Read the California Policy Center's article on how Moreno Valley did it.

The Moreno Valley Police Department conducted a Pedestrian Decoy Program on January 17 in response to numerous complaints regarding drivers failing to stop for pedestrians walking in crosswalks and intersections across the City.

A police officer dressed as a giant, bright orange traffic cone walked back and forth across the intersection of Eucalyptus Avenue and Sunnymeadows Drive in an effort to see if drivers would stop for the pedestrian as required by law.

The program, part of the police department’s Directed Enforcement Program, is an effort to make drivers more aware of their surroundings and to be vigilant while driving, especially near schools and crosswalks.

A total of 21 motorists were cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk during the operation. Police officers also impounded a driver for being unlicensed.

The City of Moreno Valley is currently accepting application proposals for grant funds dedicated to programs and projects benefiting low and moderate income residents or neighborhoods, eliminating blight, enhancing affordable housing and addressing homelessness issues.

The City anticipates receiving approximately $1.9 million in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, approximately $527,000 in HOME Investment Partnership funding and approximately $182,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

CDBG program funds must be used for projects benefiting low and moderate income residents or neighborhoods, to eliminate blight or for community emergency needs. HOME program funds must be used to create, retain or rehabilitate affordable housing. ESG program funds must be used to improve the quality of life for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

The City is accepting application proposals through January 30, 2017. Requests for an application can be made by calling the City’s Finance staff at 951-413-3449 or via e-mail at np@moval.org .

Examples of eligible projects include neighborhood public improvements, housing rehabilitation programs, affordable housing creation, crime prevention, code enforcement, economic development, and public services. Both government and certified non-profit agencies may apply for project or program funding that benefits low and moderate income people in Moreno Valley.

Mayor Yxstian A. Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Baca, and Councilman David Marquez travelled to Sacramento this week to attend the League of California Cities' New Mayors & Council Members Academy.

Mayors and council members from across California attended the three day conference to learn about best practices of being a member of a city council, including how to effectively advocate for legislation to benefit their cities, financial responsibilities, and how to successfully communicate with residents.

The conference also provided valuable opportunities to meet other city leaders and discuss regional and statewide issues facing municipal governments. 

Moreno Valley residents now have the opportunity to play pickleball on four new courts recently installed at Woodland Park by the City’s Parks and Community Services Department.

Pickleball, a combination of tennis and badminton, is played with a whiffle ball on a badminton-sized court with a net. The sport has been growing in popularity with courts being installed in school gyms, community centers and parks across the country.

The game’s unique rules, which prohibit volleys close to the net, allow players with less mobility, including seniors, to compete along with players of all ages and athletic abilities.

Make sure you check out the new pickleball courts at Woodland Park, 25705 Cactus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.

The Moreno Valley Employment Center will be hosting a job fair on Monday, January 23, from 9 a.m. to noon for positions at DB Schenker at their Moreno Valley location.

DB Schenker, the world's second largest transportation and logistics services provider, will be interviewing for experience forklift drivers and case pick.

Applicants must be able to read, write and speak English.

The Moreno Valley is located at 12625 Frederick Street, Suite K-3, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.

Bring your resume and dress for success!

A $3.8 million capital improvements project to realign winding Reche Vista Drive to make it safer for the thousands of drivers who use it daily is nearly completed.

The project, which began in early 2015, realigns the two-lane Reche Vista to extend straight to Perris Boulevard, replacing a steep, winding section of the road that was a frequent site of traffic accidents.

The 2,400-foot extension where Perris Boulevard previously had dead-ended features wider lanes and shoulders and a center turn lane.

A traffic signal at the intersection of Heacock Street, Perris Boulevard and Reche Vista Drive is scheduled to be installed next week, weather permitting.