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Chico City Council To Consider Spending Proposals For Extra $4.8 Million

Chico’s city council will be grappling with a problem tonight they haven’t had to worry about in years — what to do with extra money.

Rising sales and property taxes thanks to an improving economy, coupled with savings from some pretty serious budget cuts, have left $4.8 million worth of black ink in Chico’s municipal coffers. But after years of crisis budgeting, city leaders meeting tonight will likely end up using the windfall to pay off debts rather than on funding any new initiatives or restoring much in the way of services.

All three proposals drafted by City Manager Mark Orme for consideration at this evening’s council meeting devote the lion’s share of funding to closing various fund deficits. In his report, Orme warned against creating any new, ongoing spending, based on one-time revenue. Two of the three proposals would offer Butte County $25,000 to continue extended hours at the Butte County Library’s Chico branch.

Also this evening, the Chico council is expected to consider farming out operations of its municipal airport to a private entity. Passenger service at the airport ended in December.