The Platform
The Turlock Horizon — Jeremy Rocha's Policy Platform for Mayor 2026
A comprehensive five-pillar strategic framework to transition Turlock from a reactive, general-law municipality into a high-performance Charter City built on accountability, efficiency, economic strength, and long-term planning.
A Note on This Plan
A STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION — OFFERED IN GOOD FAITH
The Turlock Horizon represents a serious and ambitious vision for the future of our city and region. While many of the initiatives outlined here are conceptual and will require significant study, collaboration, and phased implementation, they are grounded in a clear understanding of Turlock's challenges and opportunities.
This plan was developed with a deep respect for fiscal responsibility, taxpayer protection, and the need for measurable public benefit at every step. It reflects a genuine commitment to improving Turlock — not through unrealistic promises, but through disciplined planning, incremental progress, and long-term thinking.
Above all, it is offered in the spirit of working together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and more vibrant community for current residents and future generations across Turlock and the Central Valley.
Conceptual
Many initiatives are starting points — not final decisions. Each will require study, public input, and formal approval before moving forward.
Collaborative
Nothing in this plan is imposed. Every major initiative depends on partnership, community support, and the will of Turlock residents.
Good Faith
This platform is an honest attempt to think seriously about Turlock's future — not a list of promises, but a framework for the conversation ahead.
Why Jeremy Is Running
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR TURLOCK
The Turlock Horizon is built on one simple idea: growth should benefit the people who live here. Every major project is structured to expand the tax base, attract private investment, strengthen public services, and deliver real results for residents. The goal is a city that works better and costs less to run.
How the Plan Works
DISCIPLINED, PHASED,
AND BUILT TO LAST
The Turlock Horizon is not a wish list. It is a real plan built around four principles: phased implementation, fiscal discipline, regional cooperation, and putting residents first. Every initiative is broken into achievable steps that match what the City can actually deliver. Early phases focus on governance reform and quick operational wins. Bigger capital projects come later — after the planning, partnerships, and approvals are in place. Nothing gets promised before it is ready.
Funding comes from multiple sources — public-private partnerships, state and federal grants, developer fees, and revenue-generating assets — so no single source carries all the weight. And while many Horizon initiatives reach beyond city limits, Turlock always leads from a position of local control. The City initiates, structures the agreements, and makes sure the benefit comes back home.
01
PHASED IMPLEMENTATION
Every initiative is broken into steps matched to what the City can actually deliver — starting with governance reform and early wins, building toward major projects over time.
02
FISCAL DISCIPLINE
Diversified funding, phased investment, and clear financial guardrails mean the plan never overextends the City's budget or puts taxpayers at risk.
03
REGIONAL COOPERATION
Turlock leads regional partnerships — on workforce, infrastructure, and economic development — through voluntary agreements that keep local control in local hands.
04
RESIDENTS COME FIRST
Every major investment is structured so that growth strengthens the City's finances while improving services, roads, and affordability for the people who live here.
Five Pillars
THE PLATFORM IN FULL
GOVERNANCE
The Integrity & Efficiency Standard
Objective: Make city government faster, more accountable, and more responsive — with clear ethics rules and a structure built for a growing city.
- →Charter City Transition — give Turlock voters direct control over how their city is governed
- →6-District + 1 Mayor model so every neighborhood has its own voice at the council table
- →Full-time City Council meeting weekly — no part-time leadership on full-time problems
- →Performance-based pay benchmarked to what Turlock families actually earn
- →Lifetime term limits and a strict $1,000 campaign contribution cap
- →4-year residency requirement — you should know Turlock before you lead it
- →AI Efficiency Task Force to speed up permitting, budgeting, and city services
- →Independent forensic financial audit every four years
- →City commissions restructured and aligned to the five pillars
"Experience only matters if it produces results. After years of the same approach, we're still dealing with preventable problems. It's time for a higher standard."
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Opportunity & Infrastructure Standard
Objective: Build a stronger downtown, grow the tax base, and make sure residents see the benefit — through smarter development, better roads, and direct community reinvestment.
- →Downtown Master Plan — mixed-use redevelopment focused on walkability, housing, and transit
- →The Civic Anchor Project — new City Hall, Grand Plaza & Park, Veterans Memorial, Amphitheater, and Central Parking Garage
- →Road Infrastructure Reserve — a long-term fund to keep roads maintained without future debt
- →Relocate the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds and TID equipment yard to unlock ±90 acres for the Horizon District
- →More attainable housing — condos and workforce housing to help more families own a home in Turlock
"We've seen what happens when long-term planning is delayed — the cost is always higher later. Turlock deserves better planning and better results."
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
The Academic & Public Safety Standard
Objective: Build a clear path from kindergarten to career — connecting Turlock students to real opportunities in public service, healthcare, business, and beyond.
- →Tri-Agency Collaboration — a formal, standing partnership between the City, TUSD, and CSU Stanislaus
- →Standing Tri-Agency Coordination Council with joint grant applications and shared priorities
- →K–12 through graduate pathways aligned with what Turlock employers actually need
- →Master of Public Safety (MPS) Degree — the Central Valley's first unified public safety education pipeline
- →MPS Tracks: Law Enforcement, Fire & Emergency Services, Emergency Management, Administration, Community Crisis Response
- →Expanded after-school and extended learning programs — ASES integrated into a full ELOP framework
- →CSU Stanislaus as a research and policy partner for smarter city planning
- →Park-to-Plate Entrepreneurship Program — connecting youth to food, agriculture, and local business
"These experiences have given me a clear understanding of how local government should work — and where it needs to improve."
ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
The Media & Commercial Sports Standard
Objective: Create a self-sustaining entertainment economy that generates revenue, attracts visitors, and puts Turlock on the map as the Central Valley's sports and media hub.
- →The Horizon District — ±90 acres of master-planned sports and entertainment on relocated Fairgrounds land
- →The Arena — a 6,000-seat venue anchoring a Sacramento Kings G-League affiliate and major concerts
- →The Ballpark — a 5,000-seat stadium for a Minor League Baseball franchise
- →Shared operations across venues to maximize efficiency and reduce overhead
- →Tri-Agency Priority Use Agreement — CSU Stanislaus athletics and TUSD championships get facility access
- →Media District & Broadcast Development — positioning Turlock as the Central Valley's broadcast hub
- →Central Valley Broadcast Market Initiative — a distinct media market between Sacramento and Fresno
- →The Central California State Fair — a unified "Super Fair" merging Stanislaus and Merced County fairs
"The Turlock Horizon is designed to move our city forward — making Turlock more efficient, more prosperous, and more connected."
COMMUNITY
The Connection & Regional Diplomacy Standard
Objective: Strengthen families, improve quality of life, and lead the Central Valley through cooperation — so every Turlock resident feels the difference.
- →Animal Services Modernization — a modern shelter through public-private partnership with better outcomes and diversified funding
- →Fire Services Modernization — updated Fire Master Plan, new station assessment for high-growth areas, MPS-aligned recruitment
- →Regional cooperation with the City of Merced and surrounding counties
- →Public-facing city dashboard — track projects, spending, and timelines in real time
- →Community listening sessions across all districts to hear directly from residents
- →Utility Affordability Program — direct relief for seniors, fixed-income households, and working families
- →PARCC programming expansion and youth development woven into every Horizon initiative
- →Regional diplomacy to position Turlock as the economic and civic leader of the Central Valley
"My goal is simple: make government work, grow our economy the right way, and make sure residents feel the difference."
Signature Initiatives
EXPLORE THE HORIZON
"Defining Excellence, Building the Future."
Immediate Priorities
THE FIRST 180 DAYS
"The first 180 days are about more than quick wins — they are about setting a durable foundation for long-term success. Meaningful change in local government requires coordination, planning, and community engagement."
GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
- →Launch an AI Efficiency Task Force to speed up permitting, budgeting, and city services
- →Begin planning for an independent forensic financial audit
- →Review permitting timelines and identify where the city is slowest to respond
- →Start the Charter City process — legal review, public education, and community input
INFRASTRUCTURE & ROADS
- →Introduce a Road Infrastructure Reserve Policy to keep roads maintained without future debt
- →Release a public report on road conditions, backlog, and what it will cost to fix
- →Build a long-term capital plan for infrastructure maintenance
HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT
- →Launch the Downtown Master Plan process — mixed-use, walkable, and housing-focused
- →Begin zoning review for condos and ownership-focused transit-oriented development
- →Identify priority sites for transit-oriented and infill housing
- →Start public conversations on the Civic Anchor Project — City Hall, plaza, amphitheater, and parking garage
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE PIPELINE
- →Formalize Tri-Agency coordination meetings between the City, TUSD, and CSU Stanislaus
- →Begin feasibility discussions for the Master of Public Safety (MPS) program
- →Start building out internship and workforce pipeline programs
COMMUNITY & TRANSPARENCY
- →Launch a public-facing city dashboard — projects, spending, and timelines, all visible to residents
- →Hold community listening sessions across every district
- →Begin developing the Utility Affordability Program
- →Start planning for the Park-to-Plate Entrepreneurship Program
Focus of the First 180 Days
Set a clear direction for the future
Improve transparency and accountability
Begin long-term planning to avoid costly delays
Ensure residents see immediate engagement and measurable progress