Under heavy scrutiny from the federal government and an administrative freeze on the city’s permit program, medical marijuana dispensaries in Sacramento could face a full ban – but if Sacramento’s dispensaries are shut down, what happens to the city budget bottom line? In total, the city has received approximately $1.4 million since the start of the permit process for medical marijuana dispensaries – nearly $1 million from one-time fees – according to Maurice Chaney, Economic Development Department spokesman. If the city were to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, they could see a potential $528,000 budget shortfall from reduced or eliminated marijuana business operations taxes in the 20

The approval of the redevelopment project for the 700 block of K Street brings more than just the prospect of a revitalized block of the J-K-L corridor, it also includes financial incentives that supporters say will spur the local economy and bolster revenues for the city. Originally, developers Bay Miry, D & S Development, and Ali Youssefi, CFY Development, proposed that the city put in $16 million of funding assistance – one half of that amount in the form of a grant, and the other half in repayable loans from a variety of redevelopment agency sources. Since the initial proposal, however, Miry and Youssefi were able to tap into new funding sources for the project, including a federal p

Interim City Manager Gus Vina’s resignation comes just weeks before the city must propose a budget for the next fiscal year. In Sacramento’s city government, the city manager prepares a proposed budget and the City Council makes final budget decisions. Vina told the Sacramento Press on Friday afternoon that the proposed budget will be on time even though he is leaving April 8. “We are very close to finishing the proposed budget,” Vina said. “It will be ready to meet the May 1 deadline … I committed to council that I would get the budget done and I will.” He said he was leaving because he was not supported by the full City Council. “I need to move on and pursue other opportunities becaus

The leader of a new effort to unionize city employees took issue with Interim City Manager Gus Vina’s recent decision to raise three managers’ salaries and lower the salary of a fourth manager. Dee Contreras, the former labor relations director for the city, is spearheading a campaign to unionize 677 city workers, including top managers and administrative staff. She retired in December but is once again involved in local labor issues – this time on the other side. Contreras said in an interview with The Sacramento Press on Wednesday that she will serve as the staffer for the emerging group, which is known as the Sacramento City Exempt Employees Association. “I will be working for them a

A city commission composed mostly of members of the construction sector is disbanding Dec. 31. However, a report by city staff said the Development Oversight Commission, which made recommendations to the City Council on the city’s work with the building industry, may morph into a group that explores economic development goals. The Development Oversight Commission (DOC) will dissolve because the ordinance that formed it gave it a Dec. 31 expiration date, according to the city report. The City Council decided to set up the commission in 2000. Darryl Chinn, a DOC member and local architect, said the current DOC members may participate in a future economic development commission. Top city s

Claims that the city’s development department did not retrieve fees from developers in recent years have raised questions of whether some of last year’s layoffs could have been avoided. At one point last year, the city had a $50 million budget gap. The Community Development Department was hit with 27 of the city’s 102 layoffs, according to economic development spokesman Maurice Chaney. Sacramento is now struggling with a $35 million-$40 million budget hole for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. A third-party auditor will investigate claims that the development department waived, undercharged, deferred or did not retrieve development fees, City Auditor Jorge Oseguera said. In a phone interview

Each morning, Amy Parker and her husband Michael Palmer step from their front porch into a sanctuary nestled among flowers and rocks shaded by trees, luring butterflies and bees to stop and pollinate.   The Sacramentans recently transformed the front yard of their 10-year-old home into an inviting rock garden. Before it became a garden, the space was a lawn with fruit trees. Now it is abundant with colorful plants that require short watering sessions throughout the week.   Currently, city code allows Sacramento residents to water their yards three times per week during the summer. The Sacramento City Council passed additional changes to the outdoor water conservation ordinance, which t