With hours left before Fullerton’s Redevelopment Agency dissolves under California law, the City Council unanimously adopted a proposal Tuesday that would see a significant impact to the city’s budget.
The special meeting looked at how the Redevelopment Agency’s closure would impact the city budget caused by the enactment of ABx26, which effectively dissolved the state’s 400-plus redevelopment agencies. Action by the California Redevelopment Association on behalf of cities failed to convince the California Supreme Court to strike down the law in December and they upheld the dissolution.
Plans outlined by City Manager Joe Felz included the elimination of eight jobs, which would eliminate $762,901 from the budget, and the reallocation of funds for the Redevelopment Agency to other city departments, including the City Manager’s Office and Administrative Services Department.
In addition, the Council will decide on a Revised Capital Projects plan and other revisions during its mid-year budget review scheduled for February.
Other programs funded by the Redevelopment Agency that are subject to the chopping block as stated in the City Manager’s report include First Night Fullerton, holiday lighting, banners and a Federal lobbyist.
Felz said that dissolution would not stop current projects such as the new Community Center and the parking structure on Santa Fe Avenue from completion, but it has put on hold funding for affordable housing on East Commonwealth Avenue and a multi-unit development on Santa Fe Avenue.
Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva thanked the employees involved with the Redevelopment Agency for their service.
“This is a period that we know is certainly not something we have planned for and we want to thank you for everything you’ve done in that department,” she said. “The citizens of Fullerton can see the benefits of the labor and we appreciate the work you do.”
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