Sentinel staff report–
As part of The Sentinel’s coverage of local elections, each candidate was asked a series of identical questions regarding local issues that impact our community directly. Questions cover roads, police, homelessness, taxes, and Sunrise Mall.
The following is a Q&A with Citrus Heights City Council Candidate Charles Stone, who is running for the District 2 City Council seat.
To find out which district you live in, see the City Council district map here.
For residents who are concerned about the condition of local roads, do you think the city has done enough to address aging roads, and how will you address such concerns if elected/reelected?
Citrus Heights maintains approximately 235 miles of streets. The City’s current pavement program says the 2025 resurfacing work is complete, while the 2026–2027 program combines work into a coordinated project, with preliminary repairs beginning in 2026. The city has done a lot in the last two years, but we can do more to make the roads safer and easier to travel. I would continue this investment until all our roads are above 75% of PCI because our citizens deserve safe streets.
Due to the CHPD traffic unit being dissolved, specific officers are no longer assigned to each high school. Do you feel police officers should be present at or assigned to monitor school campuses? (such as middle schools/K-8s and/or high schools) Why or why not?
School Resource Officers are an established special assignment within the Citrus Heights Police Department, although assignments and their duration are at the Chief of Police’s discretion. With the cutting of the police staff I would vote to place officers on a rotational bases to middle and high schools to provide a level of security our children deserve as long as we have the resources. I would vote to increase officer staff to meet this requirement. I believe this because every crime should be investigated and properly resolved including when the crime happens at schools.
For residents concerned about the Sunrise Mall redevelopment progress: Has the city done enough, and what do you want to continue to see in regard to the Sunrise Mall/Sunrise Tomorrow property?
I cannot answer this question because I do not know the specific communications that the city has made with the individual landowners to form a reasoned opinion about whether the city has “done enough”. I am aware that negotiations have failed with the land owners not responding but I am unaware of what actions the city has taken to either initiate or avoid litigation about the Sunrise Mall landowners.
Homelessness is consistently ranked among the top issues faced by businesses and residents in Citrus Heights. What more do you think the city could do to address homelessness, and what role do you ideally see private organizations playing? (Be specific)
This issue hits home because my sister experienced homelessness due to drug addiction. Citrus Heights needs a balanced approach combining compassion, accountability, public safety, and measurable results. We should strengthen outreach connecting people with shelter, treatment, employment, and permanent housing. Partnerships with Citrus Heights HART, Community HealthWorks, Hope Cooperative, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, and other organizations are essential. Faith-based organizations can provide food, shelter, mentoring, transportation, and personal support government cannot provide alone. We must also protect taxpayer dollars through transparency and oversight. Government should coordinate with private organizations while ensuring resources are used effectively and produce real results.
How did you vote on the 1% sales tax increase in 2020 (Measure M), and do you think a sales tax increase could be necessary to meet budget demands in Citrus Heights within the next four years? Why, or why not?
I was mobilized in 2020 and do not recall my vote on Measure M. The 2020 Measure M proposal was a one-cent local sales tax, projected by the City at approximately $12 million annually, with the stated purposes including public safety, emergency preparedness, homelessness prevention and local economic development. This was a general tax increase and was not for a specific function within the city. The city also failed to show why these funds were needed despite a strong fiscal position and there were no projected cuts to services at the time. I will support tax increases only after showing that all funds are properly allocated with full transparency and there will be a significant cut in services. Only then will I ask the people to give more.
*Candidates replied via email, and those who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word. Answers exceeding 100 words were edited for length.
Related: Meet Charles Stone, Candidate for Citrus Heights City Council – Citrus Heights Sentinel
Catch up on all other candidates’ interviews on our Elections page.
