City ‘cautiously optimistic’ on budget

The Chico City Council this week got a financial update on both the 2011-12 fiscal year and the first quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal year, which runs from July to September. Numbers in the report by Finance Director Jennifer Hennessy were better than projected, creating a feeling of cautious optimism. Sales tax, the city’s main revenue source, was up 9.9 percent in the first quarter, compared to the same time last year.

Department directors were scheduled to give detailed updates, but by 10 p.m only six—Building and Development, Capital Projects, Planning, General Services, Housing and the City Attorney’s Office—had done so, with seven more, including fire and police, still to go. Council voted to continue the meeting to Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Earlier in the meeting the council tentatively adopted an ordinance that will prohibit standing and smoking within 20 feet of downtown doorways. Walking the sidewalk while smoking will still be allowed.