Jurupa Valley is scheduled to run out of money by July 2015 unless the state steps in to save the day.
California’s newest city is running out of options according to its leaders. City councilmembers are considering a vote this Thursday to pursue disincorporation—a move that has not been implemented for decades.
In 2011—the same year as Jurupa Valley’s incorporation—the California Legislature voted to divert millions in revenue from the vehicle-license fee (VLF) fund normally distributed to cities. This money instead went towards funding law enforcement grants in support of AB 109.
As newer cities received more VLF fees than others in the state, Jurupa Valley city leaders banked on the nearly $18 million Jurupa Valley would have received had these funds not been diverted. This funding would have made up a quarter of the city’s annual budget as well as fund all startup costs.
In an effort to save money, the city has no debt or pension obligations as its entire staff have been hired by contractors to save money. It owns no property and has no police force or fire department, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Despite these measures, City Manager Stephen Harding has asked the city council to authorize the disincorporation process. Officials estimate that dissolving the city could take up to 20 months.
Read the full article at the KPCC.
For more information on Jurupa Valley’s situation, see the video below: