Sacramentans who protect their homes and businesses with fire and burglar alarms may soon pay more for chronic false alarms and see alarm permit fees nearly triple. The Sacramento Fire and Police departments each presented proposals to the City Council’s Law and Legislation Committee Tuesday that would change the current policy on fire and burglar alarm response – and increase penalties for multiple false alarms. The proposed changes to police alarm response will do two things: require alarm companies to step up efforts to verify legitimate alarms, and change the current three-year permit structure to an annual permit. The changes to fire alarm response includes incrementally increasing

If you thought the last few budget hearings on proposed budget cuts to the city’s parks, police and fire services were heated, just wait until June 7. At the close of a nearly four-hour budget meeting on proposed cuts to the Sacramento Fire Department Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously decided to discuss the cuts again on June 7. But the June 7 meeting will be different from previous hearings because the council decided it will discuss all the controversial budget cuts – to the Parks and Recreation, Police and Fire departments – at that time. Councilman Rob Fong said the cuts should be discussed all at the same time because the city does not have enough money to prevent cuts to

More than 350 jobs, including those of 80 sworn police officers, could be cut to balance the city’s budget, Interim City Manager Bill Edgar said Friday. The city manager’s office released recommendations Friday on how to resolve a $39 million budget gap. The proposal released by the city is not set in stone: The City Council is responsible for making final budget decisions. “This is the budget that everyone has dreaded,” Edgar said. “(This is) the budget where the chickens come home to roost.” The city manager’s office proposes cutting 294 positions. In addition, Edgar said he is recommending that the City Council cut about 60 more positions to privatize maintenance of city golf courses

As part of a Thursday workshop led by Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento City Council discussed its current priorities as well as ideas for the upcoming “State of the City” address. Johnson described the workshop as a “mini-retreat” for the City Council. The city leaders kept the budget in mind when discussing their priorities, but exact budget numbers were not discussed. City Finance Director Leyne Milstein said after the meeting that she was still working on the budget figures and would present concrete budget information at a Jan. 25 public meeting. Johnson will speak at the State of the City event, which will be held Jan. 20 at the Sacramento Convention Center. His City Council col

The debate on whether property owners should pay the costs of maintaining parks has been put on hold. City spokeswoman Linda Tucker said Interim City Manager Gus Vina is stopping work on the issue until city leaders hold budget workshops early next year. “That way all the budget needs and available tools to generate revenue can be viewed as a whole,” Tucker wrote in an e-mail. “(Vina’s) belief is that a more strategic discussion can be held with this approach.” The City Council was expected to decide on Tuesday, Dec. 14, whether to hire an engineer to examine the issue. The council will not make that decision this week. Learn more about the assessment proposal here. Kathleen Haley is a

 With the city budget and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s updated strong mayor proposal on the City Council’s agenda, the public is likely to see political fireworks at two meetings Tuesday. During the first meeting, at 915 I St. at 2 p.m. the City Council will discuss key issues related to the city’s budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The city must settle a $43 million budget gap. Council members will consider whether to scale back proposed cuts to the city’s fire, parks and police departments. Read the report on some of the planned budget cuts here.  Another issue on the council’s afternoon agenda is the Utilities Department budget. Find information on that budget here.  The City Council wi

Mayor Kevin Johnson held a brief press conference Tuesday morning, sharing thoughts on the council races and touching on the city budget. "I'm excited about the elections," Johnson said. "(There) could be fresh energy and ideas, combined with veteran leadership." He said it is the city's responsibility to engage citizens and that he is happy to see multiple candidates running. Angelique Ashby, a District 1 candidate who was endorsed by Johnson, recently was the target of attack fliers. "It's disgusting. It's old tactics," said Johnson. "It's what people try when they're desperate. I faced similar tactics but they backfired." He said that while he is for people challenging ideas and in

Fluoride in Sacramento’s water was a hot topic during a Sacramento City Council budget discussion Tuesday night. Several members of the public, including dentists, a school nurse and local public health officer urged the City Council to keep fluoride in the city’s drinking water supply. Management Partners, a consulting group hired by the city, suggests that the city stop fluoridating its water supply. The firm states that if the city cuts water fluoridation from its budget, it could retain $836,000 each year. The city has a $43 million budget gap. Glennah Trochet, a health officer with Sacramento County’s Public Health Division, told the City Council that water fluoridation is “one of

 City Council members had a variety of reactions to the draft budget presented by Interim City Manager Gus Vina Tuesday night. The draft was first released April 30, when Vina proposed layoffs of as many as 200 city employees in an effort to balance the city budget and reduce the $43 million gap. Among other things, the draft budget aims to make $14.6 million through cuts to programs and services and $19.6 million by removing all vacant city positions and possible labor union concessions. The draft also proposes to apply $8.8 million in other funds to the budget. While Vina said layoffs were unlikely at Tuesday’s meeting, council members found issues with other aspects of the draft. Lau

The Sacramento City Council will grapple with a $43 million budget gap at several meetings this month and next. Budget meetings are open to the public. Here’s a list of key dates for the city’s budget process: Tuesday, May 11: Interim City Manager Gus Vina is expected to make a presentation to the City Council on the draft budget for fiscal year 2010/11. Tuesday, May 18: Budget ideas from consulting group Management Partners and fees and charges are expected to be discussed at the City Council meeting. Tuesday, May 25: Budget hearing Tuesday, June 1: Budget hearing Thursday, June 10: Budget hearing Tuesday, June 15: Budget hearing Tuesday, June 22: Budget adoption The meetings star

A group of 90 residents who are afraid of further budget cuts to city parks gathered Saturday at Land Park to take maintenance chores into their own hands. Neighborhood activists recently formed the Land Park Volunteer Corps, which met at the park to trim bushes and beautify the grounds, according to Craig Powell, coordinator of the group. “We’re doing our part in the community,” Powell said. “We’re responding with what we can do.” The city is struggling with a $43 million budget gap for its 2010/2011 fiscal year. Powell said he is concerned that city parks may face a third consecutive year of extensive budget cuts. Parks were hit with $8.3 million in cuts during the 2009/2010 budget p

The city of Sacramento may need to lay off as many as 100 to 200 city staffers as it makes cuts to balance its budget, Interim City Manager Gus Vina said Friday. Vina proposed a draft budget Friday that would erase a $43 million gap. In the proposed budget, programs and services would face $14.6 million in cuts. The removal of all vacant positions and possible concessions from labor unions would amount to $19.6 million. Vina also plans to apply $8.8 million in other funds to the budget. Vina’s draft general fund budget figure for the 2010 / 2011 fiscal year is $360.3 million. “None of this is easy,” Vina said in an interview Friday. “We have only so much income and we have to have a bal

Sacramento city officials hope to release the draft city budget before 4 p.m. on Friday, said city spokeswoman Amy Williams. The city is facing a $40-$43 million budget gap, according to an estimate provided earlier this month from Interim City Manager Gus Vina. Williams said the city releases the draft budget on May 1 each year. This year the city will release it the day before May 1. She said the city’s charter dictates the timeline for the budget release. The charter calls for the city manager to issue budget recommendations at least 60 days ahead of July 1. City Councilman Steve Cohn said last month at a Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting that he expects major cuts to city parks. 

The Sacramento Press wants your neighborhood-related questions for Interim City Manager Gus Vina, the city’s highest-ranking official. What issues or concerns do you have about your neighborhood? What do you think the city government should do to improve your neighborhood? Write your questions in the comments section at the bottom of this article. Questions for Vina can also be e-mailed to kathleen@sacramentopress.com. The Sacramento Press will choose several questions from community members for Vina to answer. Vina was chosen as interim city manager by Mayor Kevin Johnson and the eight City Council members and will serve for nine to 12 months. He replaced Ray Kerridge, who resigned fr

While Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn expects dismal budget numbers for the city this year, he also thinks the local economy will begin to heal. In an interview about his goals for 2010, Cohn said the city budget will be his top priority. He said he doesn’t yet know a specific number for the city’s possible budget deficit this year, but he expects the figures to be daunting. The Sacramento City Council made major cuts to services last year to address a $50 million deficit. “In general, despite the tough economy, I’m actually very optimistic about the future,” Cohn said. “So I feel like we’re going to see things start to turn around in 2010.” Cohn said he expects job opportunities

Now that Sacramento’s 2009 / 2010 budget has been approved, what does the city’s financial picture look like for next year? The Sacramento Press sat down with Leyne Milstein, the city’s finance director, to ask that question. Milstein outlined next year’s projected $30 million deficit and commented on the city’s “structural deficit.” While Milstein grapples with severe city budget gaps that are tens of millions of dollars, she has a self-described “lighter side” that is evident in her choice of office decorations. An interview with Milstein would be incomplete without mention of her Magic 8 Ball collection. Sacramento Press: What is the city’s financial outlook for the next year? Leyne

The local firefighters' union and city officials are publicizing a new one-year labor agreement for firefighters. The deal between the Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 and the city would consist of a 5 percent salary cut for firefighters during the 2009/2010 fiscal year. The other key component of the deal is that city officials have promised not to lay off firefighters throughout the one-year period. Local 522 and city officials have been sparring over a new contract for firefighters. City officials planned to lay off dozens of firefighters as part of city budget cuts. This tentative contract for the firefighters’ union differs from earlier versions which included raises and longe

City Council to consider budget: The City Council may adopt a final 2009/2010 fiscal year budget Tuesday, June 16. The Tuesday meeting starts at 6 p.m. City Council meetings are open to the public and are held at 915 I St. The city is considering many cuts and layoffs to address a deficit of more than $43 million. A total of 168 pink slips were distributed to employees June 2. Fewer employees may be laid off if unions make concessions, according to city officials. County supervisors to act on proposed budget: The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors may approve a proposed budget for the 2009/2010 fiscal year on Wednesday, June 17. Wednesday’s budget meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. The mee

 A number of city employees received pink slips Monday that said their last day of work would be June 19. Though 168 workers received the layoff letters, city officials said the number of potential layoffs would go down if unions make concessions. The city is planning layoffs and cuts to services to address a budget deficit of more than $43 million. Sacramento began its budget planning for the 2009/2010 fiscal year with a $50 million deficit. The deficit figure dropped to $43.6 million in March after the Sacramento Police Officers Association made concessions on pay increases, said Gus Vina, an assistant city manager. The firefighters’ union, Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522, made

The following press release was issued by Mayor Kevin Johnson's office Friday: Mayor Johnson to Ask City Council to Declare “State of Fiscal Crisis” Move Designed to Help Prevent State from Raising City’s Depleted Coffers SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will ask the City Council on Tuesday to declare a "State of Fiscal Crisis" because of the city's deepening budget woes. Sacramento will join more than 100 cities in the state that already have or plan to declare a fiscal crisis. These actions by communities statewide follow a recommendation by the state's Department of Finance to borrow $2 billion in local property taxes to meet the state's budget shortfall, a move Mayor Jo