Shelley Hasselbrink, Los Alamitos City Council District 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire – Orange County Register

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.

Name: Shelley Hasselbrink

Age: 62

Current job title: Controller

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Los Alamitos

Campaign website or social media: None

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

California requires cities to plan for housing at all income levels through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, and Los Alamitos has adopted its 2021–2029 Housing Element to meet those requirements.

As a current City Council member, I believe we must comply with the law while preserving as much local decision-making authority as possible. Los Alamitos is largely built out, so new housing must be thoughtfully planned with consideration for traffic, infrastructure, parking, public safety, neighborhood compatibility, and the character of our community.

We should encourage housing opportunities at a range of price points in appropriate locations and work collaboratively with property owners and developers rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. At the same time, I strongly believe Sacramento should recognize that every community is different and that local elected officials and residents are best positioned to determine how growth fits within their city.

Our own legislative platform supports protecting local authority and opposing mandates that unnecessarily restrict the City’s ability to make decisions for Los Alamitos.

How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

As a current member of the City Council, I have been part of the effort to ensure Los Alamitos addresses both today’s needs and our long-term financial obligations. Fiscal responsibility means maintaining balanced budgets, protecting healthy reserves, continuing to provide the services residents expect, and aggressively addressing liabilities that could otherwise burden future generations.

In 2022, the City Council adopted an accelerated CalPERS unfunded-liability paydown policy requiring at least $260,000 in additional annual payments, as well as at least 25% of verified year-end General Fund surpluses. The policy was designed to achieve 100% funding within 12 years or less. City financial modeling estimated that an accelerated payoff could save approximately $3 million to $9 million, depending on the level and timing of funding.

We also continue strengthening our local economy, supporting businesses, reviewing expenditures for efficiencies, and protecting reserves. For me, the answer is not simply raising revenue or cutting services; it is disciplined, long-term financial management that keeps Los Alamitos financially sustainable.

The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Transparency begins with making information accessible, understandable, and timely. Posting budgets, financial reports, agendas, staff reports, and meeting videos is important, but simply putting information online does not always mean residents understand what their government is doing.

I believe we should continue finding ways to explain complex issues in plain language and communicate decisions through multiple channels. Residents should understand not only what the City Council decided, but why a decision was made and how it affects them.

Los Alamitos already provides public access to financial documents, agendas, minutes, and City Council meetings. We can continue improving by communicating earlier about major issues, expanding opportunities for community input, and presenting financial and policy information in formats that are easier to understand.

Transparency also requires elected officials to be accessible, willing to answer questions, and open about the reasoning behind their decisions. Trust is strengthened when residents feel informed and heard.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

One of the most significant challenges facing Los Alamitos is maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability while protecting local control and preserving the services and quality of life our residents value.

As a small city, our resources are limited while the costs of public safety, infrastructure, personnel, insurance, pensions, and other essential services continue to rise. At the same time, cities are increasingly asked to implement state requirements that can create additional administrative and financial burdens. I believe decisions affecting Los Alamitos should be made locally whenever possible by the people who know our community best.

We must continue exercising financial discipline while strengthening our local economy. Our Economic Development Strategic Plan provides a roadmap for attracting and retaining businesses, expanding our revenue base, and encouraging investment while maintaining the character of Los Alamitos.

Fiscal sustainability and local control go hand in hand. We need to responsibly manage our resources, address long-term liabilities, advocate against unfunded mandates, and ensure that Los Alamitos has the flexibility and financial strength to meet the needs of our residents.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

My approach to leadership is based on listening, preparation, collaboration, and accountability. My experience in municipal government and financial management has taught me that good decisions require understanding both the numbers and the people affected by them.

Los Alamitos is a community of families, seniors, young professionals, businesses, youth, longtime residents, and newcomers, and each group experiences the City differently. Representing the community means actively seeking different perspectives rather than assuming everyone has the same priorities.

I try to approach decisions by listening to residents, asking questions, reviewing the available information, considering long-term consequences, and explaining the reasoning behind my decisions.

I also believe collaboration matters. Cities accomplish more when elected officials, staff, residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and regional partners work together. Regardless of whether someone agrees with every decision I make, they should expect me to listen respectfully, do my homework, and make decisions based on what I believe best serves the community as a whole.