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THURSDAY Reckoning at Giants Win State Theatre JUNE 20, 2013 Pastimes Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A SPORTS 1B DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Sunny 87/61 Weather forecast 8B TEHAMA COUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 City passes budget, holds off on tougher choices By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer Down a member, the Red Bluff City Council struggled with last-minute funding pleas Tuesday before passing a stripped down 2013-14 fiscal year budget filled with pay raises, but not much else in the way of capital improvements. The day after Robert Sheppard Jr. unexpectedly resigned from the council, the remaining four councilmembers split 2-2 on a pair of budget-related issues before discussion turned toward the budget itself. The budget includes an additional $336,000 in pay raises, most of which were guaranteed within the past year of contract negotiations and tied to whether the city's sales tax would increase or not. It's now projected to increase by 4.5 percent and even with few increases elsewhere in the budget, Finance Director Sandy Ryan estimated the city's ending fund balance will fall from $663,826 to $377,093 within a year. That would leave the city with reserves enough to cover just two weeks of expenditures — well below the 2-month minimum the Government Finance Officers Association recommends entities have on hand. "It's kind of scary for the city of Red Bluff," Ryan said. Community Development Department That left decisions such as combining the building and planning departments more pressing, as the move would save the general fund about $80,000 a year. But even with all four coun- cilmembers saying they favored the reorganization into a single Community Development Department the motion failed when the council split 2-2 on final decision. Councilwoman Daniele Jackson objected to how the city was going about the move, saying the new job description was written specifically with one employee in mind. When City Manager Richard Crabtree said it wasn't, Jackson replied that they would have to agree to disagree. Crabtree said he knew it Two join school board wasn't written as Jackson described, because he wrote it. Councilman Rob Schmid said he shared Jackson's concerns, but also questioned why the head of the department should come from the planning side rather than building. Citing his own construction background, Schmid said it could be a nightmare if builders had to deal with a person who didn't know about the industry. Mayor Wayne Brown said it was a big change, but an See BUDGET, page 7A Shoplifting suspect trashes cop car A 34-year-old Canoga Park man was arrested Tuesday morning after he refused to leave a Red Bluff store after a clerk said he had already caught the man trying to steal items. After his arrest Nevin Lydell Smith proceeded to destroy the door paneling and damage the interior of a Tehama County Sheriff's vehicle, according to a department press release. Deputies responded to Sunshine Food and Gas on Antelope Boulevard around 6:30 a.m. for a report of a man disrupting business. A clerk reported Smith had grabbed items from the See SUSPECT, page 7A Corning renews consultant contract By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Courtesy photos On Tuesday, Chante' Turnbow, left, was selected to fill a vacancy left by Michelle Kinner who resigned after accepting a position within the school district. Adrianna Griffin, right, was sworn in as a new board member to replace Carey Koeberer in April. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to replace its second of two board members elected in November, choosing Chante' Turnbow. Turnbow, a Jackson Heights parent who is employed at the Walmart Distribution Center, replaces Michelle Kinner, District Superintendent William McCoy said. "Michelle was elected in November, but has accepted a position to teach Special Education in our district and has therefore resigned her seat," McCoy said. Carey Koeberer, who moved out of the area, was replaced by Jack- son Heights parent Adrianna Griffin, who was sworn in on April 16. The board followed its recommended policy for replacing members, which includes advertising in places such as the Daily News for openings, McCoy said. There were seven applicants, six of whom were interviewed Tuesday after one application was withdrawn for personal reasons, he said. Each candidate was interviewed separately in open session, after which the board voted. Turnbow's first meeting will be tonight, during which the discussion will involve the projected budget for the 2013-2014 school year, McCoy said. The district is in the process of Legislature to reconsider public records bill SACRAMENTO (AP) — Facing intense public criticism, the Legislature's Democratic leaders on Wednesday prepared to back away from the provisions of a budget bill that threatened public access to information held by local governments. Assembly Speaker John Perez said his house will pass another bill that maintains a requirement for cities and counties to 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 comply with the California Public Records Act. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, DSacramento, called a news conference for late Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issue. Acting after a wave of media editorials calling on Gov. Jerry Brown to veto the bill, Perez said the Assembly will vote Thursday on another version of the legislation, which was part of the state budget package the Legislature approved last week and sent to the governor. The Los Angeles See BILL, page 7A preparation for adding sixth grade students to Vista Middle School, which will undergo a name change to Vista Preparatory Academy at the start of 2013-2014. The campus will undergo several facility changes over the summer from installing an arch sign between the office and sign building to painting the school. The addition of murals will include a silhouette of its new logo on the south side of the gym. The school mascot, formerly the Vikings, will be changing to the Eagles. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @DN_Zeeb. CORNING — The City Council June 11 approved continuing the half-time contract with Planning Consultant John Stoufer. In order to satisfy the requirements of PERS, part of the resolution spells out why Stoufer is needed to continue the position and that it is a limited amount of time, City Attorney Michael Fitzpatrick said. The California Public Pension Reform Act of 2013, effective Jan. 1, made significant changes to pension laws for public employees, most notably in their ability to work for a public employer within the same retirement system — in this case PERS, from which they had retired without a reinstatement from retirement, City Manager John Brewer said. The one exception is if the retired person has skills needed to perform work over a limited amount of time, Brewer said. While the resolution addresses a two-year period, mostly due to the construction of the Corning Community Park in which Stoufer has been instrumental, the contract is good for one year, Brewer said. Stoufer was the Planning Director until June 2012 when he retired to help the city save money, moving instead to the a half-time contract with the city. During discussion of the 2013-2014 budget, Brewer said the current level of development meant that the half-time role was perfect for what was needed. The contract was left at one year. Should there be a need to hire a full-time person, the city would then be able to do so, Brewer said. When approved in June 2012, the contract for See CORNING, page 7A Hospital gets donation from Pink Out Tourney St. Elizabeth Community Hospital has received a generous donation from the Red Bluff Spartan Varsity Basketball team. The team hosted the Pink Out event last February and through their fund raising efforts, raised nearly $1,300. Senior Spartan, Jessica MacDonald created the event several years ago in an effort to raise awareness among students, faculty and the community. The funds were accepted by Mercy Foundation North Development Officer, Sue Ampi. "It is impressive to see what the Red Bluff Spartan Girls Varsity basketball team has done to raise funds for our mammography program," Ampi said. "We are always grateful for the time and attention they provide to our imaging program." Courtesy photo Spartan Varsity Girls hosted the Shasta Wolves and the Spartans won 44-43.