Riverside County Supervisor Benoit To Challenge Governor’s Redevelopment Ideas

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit will testify before a senate panel, today, to address the proposed changes in redevelopment fund by Gov. Jerry Brown.

On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors reviewed the midyear report, which briefly reviewed some of Gov. Jerry Brown’s state budget proposals, including the cost of “realignment” — or shifting a number of state-run programs to counties — and the phasing out of redevelopment agencies to close a $25.4 billion gap.

County department heads were still studying the potential impacts. The Executive Office noted the big what-if is whether the governor can convince voters to extend elevated tax rates during a special election in June.

According to the report, county sales tax revenue is expected to remain flat in the current fiscal year; building permits were down 8 percent in the second-quarter compared to the same time last year; and property tax revenue may grow a modest 1.5 percent over the next year.

The county expects to rake in around $594 million in discretionary income to cover its bills in the 2010-11 fiscal year, compared to $620 million in 2009-10.

Reserves should level out at $180 million, down from $241 million last year.

At Wednesday night’s meeting, the City of Palm Springs approved a resolution opposing the governor’s cuts to redevelopment.

Benoit’s comments take place at 9:30 a.m. in Sacramento. KESQ.com will carry them live online.