Roberts reflects on past, looks to future in State of County

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts reflected on past accomplishments and spoke of future prospects, both fiscal and social, in his State of the County Address Wednesday night.

Roberts said the county has completed more than 70 capital projects in the past decade, including 10 libraries, an animal shelter and two sheriff’s stations. The county has used cash to fund 70 percent of the costs, saving taxpayers $1.46 billion, he said. The new buildings will continue to serve the public well into the future, he said.

Thousands of jobs were also created in the construction industry, Roberts said in his speech at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.

“This is the time to create jobs,’’ Roberts said. “It’s a great time to build because construction is a part of the community.”

Roberts said future jobs could also come from international trade.

“San Diego has the brain power and the people power to not just be a global player, but to be a star,” Roberts said.

San Diego County is also striving to improve the health of its residents, Roberts said, adding it plans to begin a program aimed at children, dubbed 5-2-1-0, that stresses exercise and healthy eating.

Childhood obesity rates in San Diego County are below state average, but at 34.5, that number was still shocking, Roberts said.

“A healthy community starts with healthy children,” Roberts said.

A program for adults is also in the works, Roberts said.

In addition, the county has plans for a state of the art system that could be used during fires provide real-time information during emergencies, he said.

Roberts also touched on technology, reducing air pollution and homelessness.