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/