Bob Deis did not like the header to this story: Stockton City Council’s secret budgeting begins. He commented on it during Tuesday’s council meeting.
We’re not secretly budgeting. It’s important that when you go through this budget document, there’s $521 million of proposed appropriations with all funds.
Because we’re going through the 506 process, all but five percent of it, or $26 million, is our anticipated general fund deficit. All but five percent of it is identified in great detail in the budget. The balance, the $26 million, hasn’t been determined yet, because we’re in a confidential AB506 process. We’re complying with state law to be confidential.
If there’s a deal, that will be vetted publicly, and your council would have to publicly discuss it, collect input and ultimately make a decision. There’ no budgeting done in secret.
