Calimesa Insider

In this special episode of Calimesa Insider, we are (mostly) recording on location at the 2023 Calimesa State of the City, which had a much different look than years past. We brought the community together to celebrate our town and its accomplishments. In this episode, City Manager Will Kolbow is joined by Councilmembers Jeff Cervantez and Linda Molina, as well as Calimesa Chamber of Commerce President Shea Choy and Executive Assistant Donea Matheson.

This month, City Manager Will Kolbow sits down with Fire Chief Tim O'Connell and former City Manager Bonnie Johnson to discuss the City's Fire Department. Bonnie shares with us how her professional background prepared her for the heaviest lift of her professional career: starting a fire department from the ground up. She shares why the City went in the direction of forming its own department and the challenges that came along with it. Chief O'Connell then discuss his career journey and what our department looks like today in year six of operation, as well as some of the goals and priorities of the Fire Department to meet the challenges of both today and the future.

By popular demand, City Manager Will Kolbow is joined by Riverside County Sheriff's Department Captain Evan Petersen to talk about sheriff services in the City of Calimesa. In this conversation, we got to know Captain Petersen, what is included in the City's sheriff contract, the role of the City's Problem Oriented Policing deputy, how technology has both helped and hindered police work, as well as the effects that changes at the State level has had on policing in our region.

With the recent approval of the City's Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, City Manager Will Kolbow took the opportunity to speak with Finance Director Celeste Reid. She covers what the day-to-day operations of the City's Finance Department look like. Will and Celeste also have a discussion about the creation of the budget, as well as City's annual audit and what that entails.

In addition, Will gives an update on the interim improvements at Cherry Valley Blvd. and I-10, a preview of our State of the City coming up in October, and the City's recently approved animal control contract with the County of Riverside.

By popular demand, our next episode will feature a discussion on police services in the City of Calimesa.

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Welcome to the premier episode of Calimesa Insider! Here is what on this month's episode:

• What Calimesa Insider will be all about
• A little bit of background on our City Manager
• Some history of Calimesa
• General Law vs. Charter
• Council-Manager form of government
• The role of the City Manager

Next month, Finance Director Celeste Reid will join City Manager Will Kolbow to discuss the City's Finance operations and the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.