city council

One incumbent out of four City of Stockton Races loses primary.

STOCKTON, CA – Four out of seven City of Stockton elected official are up for re-election in 2012. The primary had few surprises; except, in the case of City of Stockton’s District 6. Continue reading »

Stockton Proposes bankruptcy Plan

Official seal of City of Stockton (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Council proposes plan that would give the City Manager authority to file for Chapter 9 protection, if the mediation process fails.

STOCKTON PROPOSES BANKRUPTCY PLAN

(Stockton, CA) – On Tuesday, June 5, 2012, the Stockton City Council will consider a contingency plan to be followed should the City and a sufficient number of its creditors be unsuccessful in reaching an agreement that prevents insolvency and restores the fiscal health of the City. The contingency plan will be presented at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting. The public session begins at 5:30 p.m.

The City and its largest creditors have been engaged in confidential mediation that began two months ago. The mediation allows the City to work with creditors to restructure debt and agreements under a process determined by state legislation which became effective January 1, 2012, AB 506. The legislation provides for a 60-day period of negotiations with an option to extend for an additional 30 days. The City and most mediation participants recently extended the mediation period through June 25, 2012.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement with a sufficient number of our creditors to get our fiscal house in order,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. “However, we must have a plan for any possible outcome to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community and maintain basic services. Without significant fiscal relief, the General Fund will be out of money by June 30, 2012.”

The state constitution requires cities to adopt a balanced budget by July 1 of each year. The majority of the City’s budget is not impacted by the City’s fiscal crisis. The total budget of $521 million includes $366 million in restricted funds, which cannot be used to resolve the General Fund crisis. The $155 million General Fund provides for services such as police, fire, libraries, parks maintenance and administrative functions. This funding comes from property tax, sales tax, utility users tax, business license tax and other sources, all of which have experienced significant declines for the past four years.

The City Council has addressed $90 million in deficits over the last 3 years and is faced with a $26 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2012. The Council believes that any further service cuts will endanger the health and safety of the community.

The contingency plan that the Council will consider will allow the City to continue to operate, should the City be faced with insolvency by the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30, 2012. The proposed plan would give the City Manager authority to file for Chapter 9 protection, if there are no other options to balance next year’s budget. The plan allows the City to provide day-to-day services until a long-term plan of adjustment can be negotiated and approved, should bankruptcy protection become necessary.

“This City has been in business for over 160 years and we will continue to be in

business,” continued Mayor Johnston. “We will come through the AB 506 process or chapter 9 with a financially sustainable future. Even though we have inherited this mess, we are committed to doing everything in our power to leave this City better, stronger and healthier.”

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information provided by the city of Stockton, CA

Related articles

• Stockton Selects Mediator (bwnews.us)
• Stockton’s Administrators Seek way out of Bankruptcy (bwnews.us)
• News Release – Stockton Adopts Violence Reduction Initiative (bwnews.us)
• Stockton’s Ab 506 Confidential Mediation Participants (bwnews.us)
• Stockton outlines city’s financial options (sacbee.com)
• AB 506 Process Extended to Prevent City Bankruptcy (bwnews.us)
• Council Approves AB 506 Confidential Neutral Evaluation Process (bwnews.us)

Carlos Villapudua files for Re-Election of the 1st District County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Carlos Villapudua announces his campaign for reelection for the first San Joaquin Supervisorial District.

STOCKTON  – San Joaquin County Supervisor Carlos Villapudua announced his candidacy for re-election for the County Board of Supervisors 1st District on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Continue reading »

Two Latinas Vying for the CA Assembly

www.bilingualweekly.com| Mayra Barrios

(bw) CALIFORNIA – The new 13^th State Assembly District offers the Latino community a possibility of having a Latina as the Member representing San Joaquin County — two Latinas are vying for the District.

Continue reading »

STOCKTON CITY ANNOUNCEMENT: Court Dismisses SPOA Case Involving Alcohol Sales

(Stockton, CA)  – The City of Stockton has received notice that a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge has dismissed Stockton Police Officer’s Association (SPOA) vs. City of Stockton, a case involving the sale of alcohol for police union fundraising purposes.

Continue reading »

Stockton Accepting Applications for Cultural Heritage Board Vacancy

STOCKTON, CA  – The City of Stockton is accepting applications for one vacancy on the nine-member (9) Cultural Heritage Board, due to resignation of one of its members.  Full terms are for four (4) years.  Continue reading »

City Councilmembers Hold Budget Town Hall Meetings

STOCKTON, CA  – Stockton City Councilmembers are holding Budget Town Hall Meetings to discuss the City’s budget and community impacts. Members of the community are encouraged to attend. Continue reading »

OPINION: CITY COUNCIL MAKING DECISIONS.

Thomas A Benigno
Resident and long time Tracy business person.
 Former 11th district candidate

At a recent Tracy City council meeting, Bob Elliott one of the new council members, suggested that the city council put on the next  meeting agenda to speak about the redistricting issue. I had written a article about it a few weeks ago regarding the new redistricting that is about to take place this year for the up coming 2012 election. I have been reading some of the blogs on the issue and I see that most people think as I do, it’s not the place for the council to go. Continue reading »

Stockton accepting applications for Redevlopment Agency

(Stockton, CA) – The City of Stockton is currently accepting applications for four (4) vacancies on the seven- (7) member Redevelopment Commission/Relocation Appeals Board. The vacancies are the result of the term expirations of members on March 31, 2011. The term of office is four (4) years and will commence upon appointment and run through March 31, 2015. All applicants must reside in the city of Stockton and may not hold any public office or position of employment with the City of Stockton. The deadline for applications is March 29, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. Continue reading »

Stockton is Magnificent Event

Miracle Mile

Special to Bilingual Weekly

STOCKTON,CA – Fed up with Forbes Magazine a group of proud Stocktonians have gathered together to plan an event to show the world that Stockton is not miserable—it’s magnificent! Continue reading »

Opinion:City Managers Certified For What?

Thomas Benigno / Former elected Republican Central Committee member

I was watching, on a television channel, a topic about the business of our State Legislature in California. The topic was about the paid raises of city managers and other government officials. Continue reading »

Torres on the Mile

City Of Stockton Accepting Applications for One Vacancy

(Stockton, CA)  – The City of Stockton is currently accepting applications for one vacancy on the five (5) –member City Council Salary Setting Commission.  This vacancy is due to the resignation of one member. The term for this volunteer position will commence upon appointment and run through December 31, 2012.  The deadline for applications is Continue reading »