CHICO, Calif. -- The coronavirus impacted economies worldwide. Chico City Council had preliminary discussions for next year's budget and was approved.
The meeting started at 6 p.m. and went on for four hours.
Budgetary loss from this year to next is expected to be close to $6 million in reduction.
The decision to have Chico State move to virtual instruction in the fall brings an added hit to the general fund revenue. It resulted in a $600,000 projected loss and close to half a million lost in parking fund revenues.
Chico City Manager, Mark Orme told Action News Now the city has had to make the unfortunate move in laying off staff and placing a hiring freeze. 11 employees across a variety of departments were let go with 24 positions being on hold for now.
The budget was approved 6-0 with one member abstaining. The final budget needs to be approved no later than July 1.
RELATED: Chico city budget shows no change in police department funds
The council was unable to get to every item on its agenda. So the meeting will be continued on Wednesday.
One item included Mayor Ann Schwab’s proposal to discuss establishing a committee specifically to review police policies, training, and implementation. All in the wake of the George Floyd death in Minneapolis.
The goal of this is to report the committees’ findings and recommendations to reform where necessary.
Those methods and policies include de-escalation of situations, officer maneuvers/field practices, and officer accountability.
Schwab, and the council, are expected to go further into detail when the meeting continues Wednesday.
