YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 8
READ NEWS YOU CAN TRUST AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET!
Farm restrictions exempt for rural areas
“Grease” is the word
J
oin Liberty High School’s Playmakers in a fun-loving tribute to the ’50s as they celebrate the iconic musical, “Grease.” “Grease” opens Friday, Feb. 23, with additional performances on Feb. 24 and March 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9, at 7 p.m. Matinee performances will be held on March 3 and 10, at 2 p.m. Each night a classic car will be in front of the theater for photo opportunities. Playmakers is performing the Broadway version of “Grease,” which is considered PG-13. Tickets are on sale now at https://lhsplaymakers. weebly.com.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has moved to exempt four East County towns from a proposed ordinance regulating the raising and keeping of farm animals. The ordinance would implement guidelines on owning farm animals on single-family and twofamily residential districts. But District III Supervisor Diane Burgis has expressed concerns about the county’s ability to enforce the regulations in her large district, prompting her to request that Byron, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Diablo be exempt from the provisions. Advisory committees in all five of those commu-
Photo by Lauren Canada
see Farm page 26A
Officials say city budget stable by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley’s finances appear to be stable, officials said during a recent midyear budget update. “We ended the last fiscal year in June with a greater fund balance than we expected,” said Oakley Finance Director Deborah Sultan. “The revenues came in a little higher than expected, because we always budget conservatively. Our team was very good about keeping tight control of their expenditures, so our expenditures came in less than we had budgeted.” City officials announced during the annual midyear budget review that $795,000 in revenue will be added to the
“ Overall, the proposed general fund operating budget remains balanced.
”
Deborah Sultan, Oakley finance director general fund, stemming from higher-than-expected returns in key areas, including police P6 funds ($250,000), property taxes ($140,000), transient occupancy taxes ($50,000) and sales taxes ($45,000). The P6 increases were derived from annexations of new developments into the city, while the increase in transient occupancy taxes reflects a higher-than-expected number of hotel guests in the city. Transient occupancy taxes are
small fees given to the city anytime a hotel room is rented. “Most of these revenues are ongoing, so we expect them to continue to grow,” Sultan said. The city also added an estimated $754,000 in expenditures to the budget, with the biggest chunk ($600,000) slated to be transferred to another city fund to help bankroll a new downtown parking lot. Other new expenses include staffing adjustments ($74,000) and equipment replacement
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER and be entered in drawings to Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
win gift certificates and $200 cash! http://thepress.net/love
($33,000). “Overall, the proposed general fund operating budget remains balanced without relying on one-time revenues,” Sultan wrote in the midyear budget report. “This reflects the council’s continuing commitment to operating conservatively.” The city’s other funds also appear to be on solid ground, according to the report. The city’s fire impact fee fund is slated to get a $3.1 million boost, resulting from a settlement with Shea Homes over the builder’s alleged failure to construct a fire station. The funds will be used to build a station at the corner of East see Budget page 26A
Honoring Women ww.thepress.net/news/webextras
Diablo Valley College will host a discussion as part of Women’s History Month.
February 23, 2018
Living Your Best Life
Enjoy this week’s Living 50 Plus section for tips on fitness, travel, finances and more. Page 1B
Local Artists Taking A Bow
Betty and Jack Gaughan retiring after lifetime in the performing arts. Page 10A
On To The Next Round
Heritage girls’ basketball team makes second round of North Coast Section playoffs. Page 17 Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................21A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Milestones.........................12A Opinion...............................16A Pets...................................... 15B Sports..................................17A
Banning Testing
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act is introduced in the State Legislature.