DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES GET THE THIRD DEGREE
Published in the May 9 2026 edition.
The three candidates for the Inyo County Supervisor District 3 seat covered familiar ground as they addressed housing, infrastructure, county finances, water, taxes and how to deliver county services in light of reduced state and federal funding.
The trio offered ideas and a few jabs in front of about 60 people during a May 5 candidate forum hosted by Inyo 350 held in the Bishop Methodist Church.
First came three questions provided beforehand then queries from audience members. District 3 includes the Bishop Paiute Reservation and the subdivisions on South Barlow and south of Manor Market.
Incumbent supervisor Scott Marcellin defended his and the county’s work over the past few years and ongoing efforts to address troublesome issues.
The two challengers, Steven Orihuela and Ted Carleton, were less charitable about the past and outlined some different approaches to handling county business.
All three gave brief opening remarks.
Orihuela, a Paiute tribal member born and raised in Bishop, said he wanted to put “people over politics.” The county is facing “big challenges” and needs “a leader who listens and takes action.” His years of experience on the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council gives him perspective on local issues and government experience, he said.
Carleton landed here 25 years ago, living first in Mammoth and now in Bishop and is the founder/owner of The Sheet newspaper. He he is well-versed about current issues but added no one knows what to expect in the future, so voters should back the candidate with the “experience, wisdom and character” to make hard decisions. (Note: Carleton did not read or edit this article before publication.)
Marcellin, a lifelong Bishop resident and third generation business owner, said he offers “hard work, fiscal knowledge and integrity” and wants to continue the county’s ongoing work on housing, infrastructure and other issues. He wants to prioritize “people who keep Inyo County running every day.”
Housing
The first prepared question asked if Inyo County faced a housing crisis and, if so, what would could be done to address it.
Orihuela said after visiting 300 homes, residents told him there is a housing crisis. High costs and a shortage of housing make it “near impossible” for people to stay and work in the county, he said. Housing is “basic infrastructure” that can be encouraged by “streamlining” the building permitting and approval process.
Partnerships with the county, tribes, the city of Bishop, state and federal agencies could generate more housing, particularly “workforce housing,” he said. “People who work here should have a fair chance to live here,” he said.
Carleton said housing is “certainly a problem,” but the passing of the Baby Boom generation might open up enough housing to ease the problem. He was leery of state housing grants that come with “strings attached” and income limits that leave out teachers and nurses, for example, which has happened in Mammoth Lakes.
Downpayment assistance for employees to buy existing housing would be more effective, he said.
Marcellin said housing is a “regional issue,” that, if not addressed, could add to a declining population which could lead to “our community dying.” But housing is linked to infrastructure, he said, pointing out Bishop and Big Pine need to expand their sewer plants to handle any additional housing. A county “needs assessment” noted Inyo needs about 1,400 new housing units, which should be for local and workers, “not homes for the rich,” he said. The county is working to push for the release of federal land close to towns to accommodate more housing, he added.
Tribal relations
The next question was about the “relationship” between Inyo County and the Bishop Paiute Tribe.
Carleton pointed out Orihuela endorsed Marcellin in 2022, but now is running against him, “so I’m guessing they don’t get along that well, but I could be wrong.” He questioned how the county prioritized a $10 million grant for improvements in Tecopa instead of focusing on the need for sidewalks and other improvements for the larger population on the Bishop reservation.
Marcellin countered, “Steven and I get along just fine and have a good working relationship.” The tribe and county’s relationship is “much better than in past years,” with multiple county departments “working well” with the tribe on day-to-day issues and longer-term plans. “Work is being done” by the county on numerous projects with the tribe, he said.
Orihuela said the relationship “has improved, but there is still work to do.” The Bishop tribe is one of the “largest governments and service providers in the county,” he said. There needs to be a “true government to government relationship” between the county and the tribe, “not just occasional outreach.” With a “stronger partnership … think what we could do if we all worked together,” he said.
Budget shortfalls
The final advance question asked what the candidates would do in the face of federal budget cuts to health and food programs that could impact between 700 and 1,500 county residents.
Marcellin said the county was working with numerous organizations and its state representatives to advocate for millions in state funding to help ease the impacts, especially for the county’s cost for mandated “indigent care.” Grants and other funding for both local hospitals are also on tap from the state but not approved yet, he noted.
Orihuela said making up those lost funds, “is a tall order, but it can be done.” There should be an assessment to determine the impacts and outline plans to make sure “no one falls through the gaps.” Nonprofits and schools and other organizations could also “help blunt the impacts.” The county, though, does need to review its “core services” and make sure “legacy costs” don’t just roll over without funding in place.
Carleton said if state funding currently paying for county staff, primarily in Health and Human Services, falls short, “people will have to be let go.” The county can’t use General Fund money to “backfill” the loss of state and federal funding. Getting outlying subdivisions such as Starlite and Mustang Mesa into the Bishop/Rural fire protection district so those homeowners pay the district’s tax could increase revenue and allow the district to fully take over EMS (ambulance) services.
What will you do?
The first audience question asked for two items the candidates would accomplish if elected.
Orihuela said “the communication issue could be improved” between the county and residents with more outreach and personal updates. Housing should be addressed with “mixed use” projects including commercial, residential and workforce housing. “It’s an ambitious goal, but it’s doable.”
Carleton said hiring a capable County Administrative Officer would be first, then getting the county’s “fiscal house in order,” paying particular attention to the 40% increase in General Fund costs from wages and benefits, which he said was “unsustainable.”
Marcellin admitted he had “fallen short” on communication and would improve if reelected. Housing and infrastructure are linked and both have to be addressed with partnerships with community service districts, tribes, the city of Bishop and the county, he said.
Water
Regarding the county relationship with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Carleton said the county should consider paying for its own groundwater and environmental studies and not rely on LADWP. Orihuela stressed holding LADWP accountable and enforcing current agreements. Marcellin said the county had been successful in stopping LADWP’s plans for new wells, which could impact groundwater and current private wells in West Bishop and beyond.
Tax hikes
There was no enthusiasm from any candidate for the county to provide financial assistance to Northern Inyo Hospital or Southern Inyo Hospital despite looming cuts to Medi-Cal and Medicare.
When asked if the county should raise taxes, Carleton said, “seriously?” which drew a laugh from the crowd. All three said no to increasing taxes. Orihuela said “every little thing in the county budget” should be reviewed and there should be a “long overdue” look at “sunsetting grants” and other “legacy” costs.
Marcellin said he and no one else wants to pay more taxes, then said “someone up here [Carleton]” wants more tax money to create full-time EMS services in Bishop and the rest of northern Inyo County.
