Oxnard Council 2-20-18: Recall Update; Next Step on District Elections; Investment Policy
By George Miller City Clerk Ascension updated special recall election status. a six district (plus Mayor) election map 635 was selected, district election sequences were determined and staff ordered to draft an ordinance for preliminary vote next week. Aaron Starr and Alicia Percell responded to Mayor Flynn’s allegedly illegal attack on Starr. Investment policy and annual […]
Santa Paula Council: The Sound of Silence
By Sheryl Hamlin While the Santa Paula City Council spent nearly one hour discussing the non-existent East Area 1 in lieu fee, the seven month financial report received not one word of commentary, discussion or question. Slated in the Consent Calendar on the agenda for the February 5, 2018 meeting, an area of the agenda […]
Look At News Daily (Jan. 20-26/Day 1-7) Week 1 – Government Shutdown, Motoring those Voters and So Much More
By Michael Hernandez (Editor’s Note: Mr. Hernandez has agreed to continue his weekly news column in 2018 but under a different banner: “Look At News Daily” rather than “Trump Briefs.” This change reflects his intent to provide election coverage; and focus on not just national news; but local, state and international news.) Saturday, January 20 […]
Gov. Brown’s budget sets spending records, but warns of recession
by Steven Greenhut SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown’s annual budgets have become familiar affairs. During his last two terms in office, Brown routinely offered a budget plan that broke spending records, but also was designed to limit the creation of new programs while girding against the possibility of another recession. The governor’s budget release from last Thursday was […]
Conejo Valley Public Schools: Resident claims spending excesses, weak results
By Barry Gabrielson . Let’s address the facts regarding Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Deputy Superintendent’s statement “Expects 7M in annual loss over the next 3 years”. These facts are based on California Public Education and Districts reported numbers below: . 1) Received 187.1M Funding in 2016-17, Actuals of 181.7M, added reserve of 5.4M 2) Reserve […]
Santa Paula: Creative Use of Enterprise Funds Carries City Finances
By Sheryl Hamlin A Rock and a Hard Spot To understand the Fiscal Year (FY) 17-18 budget, as presented by Finance Director Sandra Easley at the November 6, 2017 Santa Paula City council, one must revisit the October 16, 2017 council meeting. At this meeting watch video here City Manager Rock explained how the 125 […]
Sorry, Republicans: If You’re Not Cutting Spending, You’re Not Cutting Taxes
. by Thomas L. Knapp President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders rolled out their new tax plan on November 2. Since all bills must have titles, they’re calling this one “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” Republican “tax reform” theatrics have worn thin over many months of waiting, but I still prefer a more […]
Approving the Budget, More Water Talk, and Medical Marijuana takes Root
By Jay Murphy This Tues evening the Ojai City Council held two meetings, a joint session with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the regular Council meeting. Both meetings were held in the council chambers at Ojai’s City Hall. Business began at 6:00 with the roll call and Pledge of Allegiance. All members were […]
Hurricane Harvey: About That Wall …
. By Thomas L. Knapp As I write this, Hurricane Harvey hovers off the Gulf Coast, menacing Louisiana and possibly ramping up for another go at Texas. Much of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, is under water. It may be weeks before the storms end, the waters recede, and basic utilities […]
No wait, It gets worse: City of Thousand Oaks Pensions and Budget
By Dr. Kevin McNamee The 2016 council meeting ended on a bleak note. The city’s $187 million budget ended $4 million in the red. We were told tough budget decisions were on the horizon. No wait, it gets worse. Previous budget deferred $18 million in street repairs. Patchwork and slurry seal are not […]
