More cuts could come for Turlock budget

While Turlock City Council unanimously approved the 2009-2010 fiscal year General Fund budget Tuesday evening, further budget revisions could be imminent given an expected $1 million gap between the council's approved level of reserve spending and the budget as approved.

Budget just one item on tap for busy Council meeting

Turlockers who want to weigh in on the proposed city budget are advised to pack a snack for Tuesday's Turlock City Council meeting, as a lengthy agenda will likely result in a marathon meeting.

County cuts budget

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a budget that will make deep cuts across the county on Tuesday morning, but thanks to prudent planning only 14 employees will lose their jobs.

Arts facilitator eliminated

Evening quickly turned into night at the Turlock City Council meeting on Tuesday, where debate over the proposed budget remained civil - yet contentious - as councilmembers elected to cut the positions of the Arts Facilitator and part-time Fleet Maintenance employees, while shuffling dollars between funds to retain one Building and Safety Division employee, who will solely scan documents.

Arts facilitator eliminated

Evening quickly turned into night at the Turlock City Council meeting on Tuesday, where debate over the proposed budget remained civil - yet contentious - as councilmembers elected to cut the positions of the Arts Facilitator and part-time Fleet Maintenance employees, while shuffling dollars between funds to retain one Building and Safety Division employee, who will solely scan documents.

Health Benefit Exchange site could bring hundreds of jobs to county

Inauguration tickets available

A limited number of tickets for President Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration ceremony will be made available through the office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R – Turlock). Constituents from across the newly redrawn 10th Congressional District of California have until 5 p.m. Dec. 19 to request tickets to the 57th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on Jan. 21, 2013, which will be held at the U.S. Capitol. Such standing-room tickets to the inauguration are ...

City development fees records first increase in three years

After three straight years of decline, the City of Turlock's Capital Facility Fees posted revenue growth last year for the first time since 2007-08. Turlock posted $1.3 million in CFF revenues in 2011-12, a 16 percent improvement from fiscal year 2010-11 and the highest such figure since 2007-08. "The trend does show that, maybe, we are finally coming out of this recession," said City Engineer Mike Pitcock. Revenues still greatly lagged ...

Council passes visitors bureau budget

The Turlock City Council unanimously approved the Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau 2013 budget Tuesday night, which will see the CVB begin to offer services on weekend days. But approval of the CVB budget was almost postponed, as Councilwoman Amy Bublak requested the measure be delayed until after newly elected councilmember Steve Nascimento is seated in December. The council postponed approving a study of city water rates on Nov. 13 for the ...

Visitors bureau to give annual report

The Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau will give its annual report for 2012 and announce goals for 2013 at Tuesday's Turlock City Council meeting.

Lawsuit: General Plan doesn't go far enough to protect ag land

Turlock's newly adopted General Plan looks to preserve the city's agricultural heritage, while preparing for an expected influx of new residents over the next 20 years. But the City of Turlock is now facing a lawsuit from a Davis-based non-profit, charging that the city's new General Plan does not go far enough in its quest to protect agricultural land. "Stanislaus County has a conservation easement program," said Eugene Wilson, head of the ...

City offices close for holiday weeks

The City of Turlock's offices will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving, from Nov. 19 to Nov. 23. The closures were planned to minimize interruptions in service, the city said. Public safety and other essential services will remain in operation. Turlockers were notified of the planned closure in city utility billings. Turlock offices will also close for the week of Christmas, Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2013.

Council postpones water study

Turlock's water rates will remain flat – at least for now. The Turlock City Council was expected to approve hiring a consultant to conduct a water rate study on Tuesday, a move which will likely lead to higher water bills. But that study was postponed at the request of Councilwoman Amy Bublak, who argued that recently-elected Steven Nascimento should have the right to weigh in. "These are going to be big decisions," ...

County moves forward with new mental health, coroner's facilities

A dearth of beds for mental health patients in Stanislaus County, coupled with surging demand, has driven Stanislaus County mental health costs millions of dollars well above projections in recent months. On Tuesday, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors took the first steps to respond to that shortage of beds, approving a recommendation to develop a county-owned Psychiatric Health Facility at the Stanislaus Recovery Center in Ceres. "We are increasing the level ...

County prepares for disaster with mock exercise

Operation "Shake, Rattle and Roll," Stanislaus County's version of the statewide medical health exercise, will be performed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Based on an earthquake scenario, the exercise consists of a "building collapse" at Ralston Tower in Modesto and operating an evacuation shelter in Patterson. Roughly 150 volunteers and staff from various agencies will be participating in the exercise in various activities. Fire and ambulance services will conduct search ...

Council considers water operations deficit options

The Turlock City Council could begin the process to change water rates on Tuesday.

Planning gives go-ahead for Poker Room bar

The Turlock Poker Room is set to grow – and add a full-service bar – after Turlock Planning Commission approval Thursday night. The expansion plans will see the Turlock Poker Room take over the current site of Happy Feet Massage, situated between the Poker Room and Turlock Regal Cinemas. Within that expanded footprint, the Poker Room will add a 1,320 square foot bar and additional restrooms; the Poker Room currently shares its restrooms ...

Courthouse project proceeds with site selection

The California Judicial Council has given Stanislaus County its approval to proceed with site acquisition for a new courthouse, although warning the project could face indefinite delays if the funds are not available. Stanislaus County is considering two sites in downtown Modesto for the future courthouse. One site is between Ninth and 10th streets and G and H streets. The other is between 13th and 14th streets and H and I streets. <p ...

City looks for cheaper waste disposal options

Turlock could soon look to export refuse outside of Stanislaus County, avoiding a potentially costly rate increase at the county's waste-to-energy plant. In June, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved raising disposal rates at the county's Covanta-operated waste-to-energy incinerator from $28 per ton to $39 per ton. Costs of disposal at the landfill remained at $33 per ton. Modesto garbage rates increased $1.90 per month for homeowners in response. Another ...

Haven Women's Center set to open in old Parks facility

A nonprofit offering help for abused women and children will take over a vacant City of Turlock building, following council approval Tuesday night. The Turlock City Council unanimously approved a five-year lease agreement with Haven Women's Center of Stanislaus County for the building which formerly housed Turlock Parks and Recreation, 301 Starr Ave. "This is such a great thing for Haven and for Turlock," said Haven Executive Director Belinda Rolicheck. "We are ...