Times are tough, yes, even in Beverly Hills, where it appears Jeff Kolin, Santa Rosa's city manager for the past nine years, is headed.
If this job change goes through, Kolin will be taking over the helm of a city that just cut 46 positions and decided to close city libraries three nights a week to balance its budget.
But before you feel sorry for this community of 90210 fame, Beverly Hills has an annual budget of nearly $400 million serving a community of about 35,000 residents.
By comparison, Santa Rosa has a budget of about $300 million serving a community of 161,000 residents.
To see the flyer promoting the job that Kolin is on the verge of accepting, click here.
Jealousy writes rampant at the editorial desk.
On December 8, the City is planning an open meeting of the council to consider rate increases in water and sewer. If we examine other cities in the area and State on a fee per 1000 gallon basis, Santa Rosa is already the highest (compared to Petaluma, Napa, San Rafael, and expensive Santa Barbara). In fact, Santa Rosa is $4.27 more per month than Santa Barbara (a comparable city size with a much bigger water problem).
The city is like an overweight person who can not stay out of the refrigerator. Booming construction and a run away fee structure have created a city revenue stream that is not supportable on a long term basis. It is time to put a lock on the refrigerator door.
send me an email and I will send you the data.