High Desert Insiders

Scott

This podcast dives deep into the specific laws, rules, and regulations that shape daily life in California's high desert communities. From zoning changes and water rights debates to city council motions, "The Local Ordinance" translates complex local governance into accessible, engaging conversations.

Episodes

  1. JAN 17

    Meals, Money, And Making Sense Of Apple Valley

    Send us a text A single KFC receipt lit up Apple Valley—and it wasn’t just about chicken. We trace how a $1,600 line item became a symbol of bigger problems: clumsy invoicing, unclear policies on council meals, and a widening communication gap between residents and the people who represent them. Along the way, we break down what was rumor, what was real, and what needs to change to rebuild trust. We also tackle the town’s budget narrative head-on. You’ll hear how Measure P revenue arrives in phases, why reserves appeared to be tapped, and what that means once the true-up hits. It’s a nuanced picture: timing mismatches can be legitimate, but only if leaders explain them plainly and document the plan to restore reserves. We lay out a simple checklist residents can use to assess fiscal health: recurring vs one-time costs, reserve thresholds, and public dashboards that track it all. Transparency should not be the exception. We talk through the Brown Act—what it actually restricts, and where councils can still respond—and make the case for practical fixes that invite honest dialogue: publish council emails, host quarterly town halls, require monthly itemized invoices, and replace bulk catering with a capped, receipt-based approach or end it altogether. The goal is not outrage; it’s alignment. When people show up, ask precise questions, and get timely answers, civic trust grows—and so does the quality of our local decisions. If you care about how Apple Valley spends, communicates, and plans for the future, this is your guide to cutting through noise and making your voice count. Listen, share with a neighbor, and tell us what policy fix you want prioritized next. Subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation so we can keep shining light where it matters most. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    20 min

  2. JAN 3

    A Candidate Explains How He’ll Listen, Follow Up, And Fix What Town Hall Ignores

    Send us a text Matthews Google Voice Number 8-3pm, 760-515-2608 Apple Valley Public Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/473556675301944/ Tired of watching decisions happen to you instead of with you? We sat down with Apple Valley District 4 candidate Matthew Rutledge to pull the curtain back on how town hall can move from box-checking to real transparency. Matthew shares why he’s running, how being raised on integrity shapes his approach, and what follow-through should look like when residents bring real problems to the mic. We get specific about the Brown Act and how it’s too often treated like a mute button. Matthew lays out a simple blueprint: acknowledge concerns in public, exchange contact info, and follow up after meetings unless it’s a closed-session item. From there we dig into the budget shortfall, the risks of leaning on reserves, and smarter ways to prioritize spending. Measure P takes center stage as we examine oversight that feels anything but independent, why committee selection matters, and how to rebuild trust with clear criteria, public minutes, and visible outcomes. Land use and quality of life are on the line with a proposed truck and trailer parking site near homes. Matthew makes the public health and traffic case for relocating heavy uses away from neighborhoods, while we also revisit the “free” Sing Center and the costly realities of deferred maintenance. For residents asking what they can do, we map out real steps: attend meetings, contact council members directly, organize neighbors, and push for regular town halls and accessible contact info. We close with a practical plan for durable road repairs that serve wheelchair users, cyclists, and drivers alike, plus Matthew’s commitment to take calls, return messages, and document progress. If you care about accountability, budgets that add up, and decisions that reflect community voice, this one’s for you. Listen, share with a neighbor, and tell us the top issue you want addressed next. Subscribe for more local deep dives, leave a review to help others find the show, and send your questions so we can take them straight to the people in power. Ground NewsGround News is a perfect way to access non biased news.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    35 min

  3. 12/20/2025

    Inside Apple Valley’s Costly Bid To Seize Its Water Utility

    Send us a text A decade of courtroom battles, ballooning invoices, and a promise that cheaper, locally controlled water is just over the next hill—only to find another hill. We pull back the curtain on Apple Valley’s bid to seize its water utility, mapping the timeline from a last-minute eminent domain filing to a 67-day trial loss, a reversal hinging on judicial deference, and a California Supreme Court review that could reshape how public takeovers are judged across the state. We walk through what the judge actually said when he called the proposed takeover a risky experiment, and why the appellate “win” didn’t validate the economics or engineering behind municipal ownership. Then we follow the money: the $13.2 million fee order, ongoing monthly legal bills draining the general fund, and the deeper costs lurking in Measure F’s $150 million debt authorization. Beyond the headline debt, we examine the disappearing property tax revenue if the utility goes public, and what that means for schools and county services that rely on those dollars. Zooming out, we explore the growing PFAS threat and why remediation liabilities won’t vanish under public ownership. We compare CPUC-regulated rate hikes with the hard reality that a city-run system would still face capital upgrades, bond payments, and compliance costs. Along the way, we track leadership changes, reduced services, and delayed projects, revealing how legal strategy can crowd out everyday governance. If local control remains the goal, we lay out what honest accountability and sustainable financing would look like—so residents aren’t left paying more for less. If this kind of clear, local oversight matters to you, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a review with your take on the water fight. Your questions and ideas guide where we go next. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    13 min

  4. 12/13/2025

    Front-Yard Pantry, Big Community Heart

    Send us a text Merissas Address: 13744 Choco Road, Apple Valley, CA CashApp & Venmo: Merissastable A front-yard cabinet and a mini fridge changed how our corner of Apple Valley fights hunger. When headlines about a government shutdown put SNAP benefits in doubt, Merissa and her mom didn’t wait for a fix. They rolled a cabinet to the driveway, stocked it with pantry staples, and quietly invited neighbors to take what they needed and leave what they could. That simple move sparked a daily exchange: one to three donors most days, six to eight families picking up food, and a living snapshot of what food insecurity really looks like in the High Desert. We walk through the origin story and the logistics that keep the shelves useful: why bread, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix, and kid-friendly snacks disappear fastest; how a donated mini fridge opened the door to milk, eggs, and cheese; and the choices behind location, shade, and privacy to protect people and food. Marissa also shares how she balances variety with a separate donations box and why candid tracking of monetary gifts builds trust. The Thanksgiving chapter hits hard—twelve planned meal bags grew into full dinners with turkeys after a last-minute donor stepped up at the Costco checkout, proving how one generous act can scale a grassroots effort overnight. The conversation stays grounded and nonpartisan: help first, labels later. We talk about zero safety incidents, respectful neighbors, and what it would take to grow into a nonprofit that can partner with local stores and sustain a steady pipeline of staples. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn concern into action, this story offers a blueprint—practical, transparent, and focused on dignity. Want to be part of it? Bring bread, PB&J, kid snacks, eggs, milk, and cheese. Share the story so families know where to go. And if you found this meaningful, subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to a friend who cares about community solutions that actually feed people. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    23 min

  5. 12/06/2025

    Inside The Bridge Fix, Brown Act, And Budget Watch In Apple Valley | Agenda for Dec 9

    Send us a text Video Podcast Link of Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighDesertInsiderPodcast Tired of hearing about decisions only after they’re made? We open the doors on Apple Valley’s most pressing debates, from a long-overdue bridge rebuild to the quiet spending choices shaping daily life. The Bear Valley Bridge project finally has funding and a start date, promising a wider span and bike lanes—along with three years of construction and a pledge to keep two lanes open each way. We explain the money mix behind the $43M plan, what commuters should expect, and how to track progress without getting lost in bureaucratic fog. Money tells the story elsewhere, too. We take a hard look at the warrant lists and the continued investment in the Singh Center, a donated building that keeps drawing public dollars despite thin utilization. Are we chasing break-even, or paying for a civic amenity with no clear benchmarks? We map out the questions residents can ask and how to get them onto the record. Alongside that scrutiny, we highlight rollover funds directed to senior programs and why co-designing activities with actual participants can turn good intentions into measurable community benefit. Process matters as much as policy. We demystify public comment rules, the Brown Act, and the difference between general remarks and item-specific testimony. If you’ve ever been told “we can’t discuss that,” we show the path to move issues onto future agendas so staff can present facts and the council can debate in public. We also preview the selection of the next mayor pro tem, share what it signals in an election year, and walk through upcoming votes on updated building codes and revised speed limits. It’s a practical guide to getting informed, being heard, and keeping local government honest—one agenda at a time. If this helped you follow the moving parts at Town Hall, tap follow, share the show with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more Apple Valley residents can find it. Your voice changes what gets decided next. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    42 min

  6. 11/29/2025

    When City Hall Stops Listening, Residents Get Loud - Matthew Malady

    Send us a text A neighbor learns a truck yard is slated for the other side of his fence and decides to do something about it. That’s the spark for a candid, on-the-ground look at how land use decisions get made in Apple Valley—and what everyday residents can do when the process feels tilted. We sit down with Matthew, a seventh grade teacher whose backyard sits about 30 feet from the proposed 14.8-acre truck and trailer facility at Navajo and Waalu. He walks us through the moment he found out from a neighbor rather than the town, the scramble to decode a mitigated negative declaration, and the immediate worries any family would have: 3 a.m. engine starts, floodlights, traffic at a strained intersection, and the loss of quiet nights. From there, we map the mechanics of civic action—flyers, group chats, yard signs, and a steady drumbeat of three-minute public comments—to show how a small cluster of homes became a connected front. We also unpack why residents are pushing for a full Environmental Impact Report instead of an MND, and how consistent policy matters when a town that restricted truck parking at homes now considers concentrating hundreds of rigs beside a neighborhood. Along the way, we raise transparency questions around selective notices, late agenda postings, and Measure P’s general fund routing and oversight. This isn’t about outrage for outrage’s sake; it’s a practical guide to reading agendas, understanding the planning commission’s role, spotting red flags, and building momentum without burning out. If you care about Apple Valley’s future—traffic, air quality, public safety, and honest process—this conversation gives you the playbook to get informed and get involved. Listen, share a timestamp with a neighbor, then join us at the next meeting. Subscribe, leave a review to boost local voices, and tell us: should a project this size move forward without a full EIR? Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    34 min

  7. 11/29/2025

    What Does “A Better Way Of Life” Really Mean For A Small Desert Town- Ted Bohanon

    Send us a text Feeling shut out of decisions made in your own backyard? We sit down with District 3 candidate Ted for a candid, no-spin conversation about making Apple Valley government feel local again—answering questions in plain English, rebuilding trust in spending, and fixing roads the right way instead of papering over potholes. We start with the basics: why residents feel unheard at council meetings and how a culture of unanimous votes can drift away from what people actually want. Ted lays out a simple transparency plan—quarterly town halls, public agenda requests driven by residents, and set hours where anyone can call him directly. From there, we dig into Measure P. Voters expected stronger public safety, better roads, and healthier parks; instead, early raises, a weak oversight committee, and confusion over reserves vs. true balance damaged trust. Ted calls for visible reporting on allocations and results, plus a real emergency fund that isn’t used to hide overspending. Growth and identity take center stage next. We get into the Waalew–Navajo truck and trailer proposal and how to weigh jobs and revenue against noise, light, diesel emissions, and neighborhood character. Ted shares clear criteria for when to say no—or “not like this”—and reminds us the Brown Act allows factual answers without a vote. On infrastructure, he proposes a funding mix that prioritizes full-depth reconstruction over chip seal, combining Measure P, Measure I, gas tax, and, if residents support it, a focused bond with strict guardrails. Parks get the same treatment: maintain what we build so new facilities don’t become tomorrow’s problems. Water and utilities round out the discussion. Ted argues the town shouldn’t run a system it isn’t equipped to manage, and instead should press providers to justify surcharges, protect ratepayers, and improve service. Above all, his pitch is simple: be reachable, be present in the district, and make decisions residents can see and understand. If you care about roads, parks, budgets, growth, and having your voice actually matter, press play. Then subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review telling us the one change you want most for Apple Valley. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    47 min

  8. 11/29/2025

    A Resident Calls Out Deficits, Demands Transparency, And Maps A Better Path For The High Desert - David Dencker

    Send us a text Decisions that shape your street, your taxes, and your sleep shouldn’t happen in the shadows. We sit down with David, a 30-year High Desert resident, to unpack Apple Valley’s most pressing fault lines: budgets that appear “balanced” by tapping reserves, a sales tax measure that promised more deputies, and a proposed truck and trailer facility that could transform a quiet neighborhood’s nights into a logistics zone. We get specific about how the town communicates deficits, what Measure P actually funds, and why oversight only works when it’s visibly independent. David doesn’t mince words about the “good old boy” dynamics that erode trust, the difference between recurring revenue and one-time fixes, and the true cost of keeping loss-making amenities afloat while roads crumble. We explore pragmatic reforms: merit-based executive incentives, zero-based budgeting, plain-English financial dashboards, and public selection of oversight members—livestreamed and randomized—to eliminate favoritism. Growth isn’t the enemy; blind siting is. We dig into smarter locations for industrial uses along the I-15 corridor, environmental safeguards like fuel containment and noise buffers, and how to make development pay its way through impact fees and enforceable performance bonds. The playbook for rebuilding trust starts with better process: early outreach, accessible summaries, bilingual materials, and regular “money maps” that show where tax dollars come from and where they go. Most of all, we make the case for everyday residents—truckers, shop owners, parents—bringing their voice to council meetings and ballot boxes so future decisions reflect community priorities, not insider convenience. If you care about transparent government, responsible budgets, public safety, fair oversight, and development that fits, this conversation gives you the tools to get involved and the questions to ask. Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review telling us the first change you want to see. Your voice can reset the standard for accountability in the High Desert. Support the show Apple Valley Agenda’s: https://applevalley.org/government/meetings-and-agendas/ Apple Valley TV: https://applevalley.tv/internetchannel/

    52 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

This podcast dives deep into the specific laws, rules, and regulations that shape daily life in California's high desert communities. From zoning changes and water rights debates to city council motions, "The Local Ordinance" translates complex local governance into accessible, engaging conversations.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 High Desert Insiders
  • Show Website
    High Desert Insiders