Stanislaus County Supervisor Channce A. Condit recently cast the lone vote against adopting the $1.87 billion Stanislaus County budget – a first opposition vote in 17 years.

The budget passed in a 4-1 vote.

Condit raised concerns about slow response times from county departments when addressing constituent complaints his office has submitted.

Condit referred stated that in some cases it takes Stanislaus County Public Works anywhere from 30 to 70 days to fill potholes. He also said it could take upwards of 120 days to abate roadside hazards. The Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources was next under the spotlight. Condit reported that it could take the department 700 days to abate a dilapidated motorhome or 214 days for a property clean up case.

“The need for a responsive and responsible government is more crucial than ever,” said Condit. “Government should work for the people, not the other way around. I have personally heard from many citizens who experience frustration due to bureaucratic delays, lack of transparency and inadequate responsiveness to community needs. Due to those facts, I could not vote to support this current fiscal budget. Whether it’s a simple pothole that is yet to be filled or an abandoned vehicle that takes several months to be abated; inefficiencies in the government process not only wastes taxpayer dollars but also erode public trust.”