SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mayor Darrell Steinberg released his budget priorities for the City of Sacramento Thursday, and it includes investing in underserved neighborhoods and inclusive economic development.
His proposal earmarks $200 million over the next five years for job creation, youth and workforce development, affordable housing and projects in underserved neighborhoods as part of a long-term strategy for inclusive economic development.
A portion of that money would be used as potential debt services on up to $250 million in bonds to fund affordable housing, city facilities and economic development. The bonds would be issued only when specific projects are identified and approved by Sacramento City Council.
Steinberg's plan would provide $1.3 million to continue Friday night youth pop-ups, which started earlier this year after teen brawls at Arden Fair Mall. As a result, Steinberg announced an initiative to fund weekly “teen hubs” throughout the community every weekend. The pop-ups are funded through June 2019 with $350,000 from the city’s general fund, plus a $300,000 grant from Comcast.
The plan also includes $1 million to provide free-fare transit for Sacramento kids in grades K-12, and $2 million for design and easement acquisition for the Sacramento River bike trail.
It would allocate $750,000 to help relocate the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. A $900,000 boost in arts funding would go to implementing the city's Creative Edge cultural plan.
Steinberg's plan totals $16 million. The city council is scheduled to vote on including the items in the 2019-2020 city budget June 4.
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