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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 14
Changes needed to ensure city’s long-term health by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
Special rainy-day funds established several years ago to help see Brentwood through the economic downturn are doing their job, but could run dry in 2018 if measures are not put in place now to reduce future expenses. Director of Finance and Information Systems Pam Ehler reported the news to the City Council last week during her presentation of the General Fund Fiscal Model forecast for the next 10 years. Instituted in 2008, the 10-year forecast is designed to give city officials a long-range look at where the city is headed financially, and give them a chance to
adjust for challenges before they become crises. The rainy-day funds include the $10.3 million Budget Stabilization Fund, which represents savings accumulated by operating below budget in recent years. A second savings account, called the Insurance Internal Service Fund, was established in 2005 to help counter rising benefits costs. It now holds $4.8 million in worker compensation and other insurance expense savings. The funds are the outgrowth of city officials’ realization a decade ago that Brentwood would eventually need to shift from a budget funded mostly by develop-
Farmers’ Market opens
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Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net
April 6, 2012
Rites of petition
Scribble an informed signature when that clipboard-toting petitioner collars you at your local storefront. Page 1B
Photo by Rick Lemyre
M
ichael Stricker of Oakley stopped by the Brentwood Farmers’ Market for some asparagus, and Louie Placios of Chechini and Chechini Farms in Brentwood was happy to be of service. The threat of rain kept traffic at the market light, but if you missed out on opening day, you’ll get another chance to enjoy the produce promenade every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on First Street.
see Changes page 22A
Conflagration information Your local fire district has extended its contract with the firefighters’ union. Page 5A
Lion leads the pack
Sand Creek/Highway 4 work bid OK’d by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Press file photo
A low bid has been announced for a contractor to start working on the Sand Creek Road/State Route 4 intersection, turning it into a freeway exit much like those at Lone Tree Way and Laurel Road.
While contractors expand Highway 4 in Pittsburg and Antioch, local transportation officials received good news about clearing up a traffic problem along the thoroughfare in Brentwood. Most of the visible progress on Highway 4 is taking place in Pittsburg and Antioch, where drivers are taking advantage of the new lanes. Eventually, all of Highway 4 from Pittsburg through Brentwood will be widened to four lanes in each direction. Three of the five planned projects administered by Caltrans and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority are underway: the freeway segments
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go to multimedia/videos The Brentwood Farmers’ Market got the growing season off to a jolly, juicy start.
from Loveridge Road in Pittsburg to Somersville Road in Antioch, from Somersville to L Street/Contra Loma Boulevard and from Contra Loma to Lone Tree Way. Highway 4 spokeswoman Anna Reiss said the projects are running smoothly and reporting no major delays so far. “I think we’re pretty well on schedule,” Reiss said. “Nothing out of the ordinary for a construction project.” According to widensr4.org, the main information hub for the project, the Loveridge segment will wrap up by the end of 2013. Contractors are now working on the overpass along the Loveridge Road exit, hoping to soon switch traffic over to the new bridge. see Highway 4 page 22A
Happy trails
go to news/WebExtras! An optimal Earth Day agenda: enjoy Mt. Diablo while contributing to its preservation.
Rain, wind and cold didn’t sidetrack Liberty’s Cody Mayer in his pursuit of two firsts at a recent meet. Page 15A Business.............................. 17B Calendar............................. 19B Classifieds.......................... 12B Cop Logs............................. 18B East County Life................. 1B Entertainment.................... 6B Food....................................... 4B Health & Beauty................. 8B Opinion...............................14A Sports..................................15A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Energetic app
go to news/press releases A new app harnesses the social media to help you trim your energy bill.