People Associates

Alexa Smittle joined RSG in 2005 and is currently a project manager for the firm, serving clients around the State. Ms. Smittle previously worked at the County of Orange in watershed management and water resource planning; but, she is thrilled to have found her home at RSG, focusing on local economic development.

In recent years, Ms. Smittle has explored the policies and procedures associated with municipal service provision, and developed expertise in fiscal impact modeling for annexations and new development proposals. Some of her favorite endeavors are projects that provide clients with insight on staffing needs, funding options, and local economic growth opportunities that best fit their community.

One such project has been ongoing work in the City of La Quinta, where Ms. Smittle has created a variety of fiscal models for the City as it plans for future growth. The models consider a range of influences, including general plan buildout impacts andannexations within the City's sphere of influence. Similarly, Ms. Smittle recently completed an analysis for the City of Huntington Beach, as it considers annexation of the Bolsa Chica Reserve. This sensitive habitat area was the site of a major restoration project. With interests and property rights ranging from the State Lands Commission to private oil production companies, navigating the impacts of annexation was challenging, but also very rewarding to Ms. Smittle as both a consultant and a resident.

Ms. Smittle's other work often focuses on economic development, the ongoing nature of which allows her to foster relationships with clients beyond one-time projects. Beginning with a bonding capacity analysis for the Redevelopment Agency, and later construction of an economic development strategy for the City, Ms. Smittle has been an integral part of the RSG team serving both the City and Redevelopment Agency of San Carlos for over four years. The firm's current activities now range from general staff support to implementing specific economic development initiatives.

Ms. Smittle maintains close ties to the UCI Urban and Regional Planning master program, working with individual students on thesis projects as well as delivering "redevelopment 101" lectures to classes. She has also recently served on the board of the Association of Environmental Professionals, Orange County Chapter. She looks forward to the new relationships, projects, and opportunities that the coming years bring as communities all over California strive to provide quality lifestyles for residents and businesses.