Suburbs Support New City Creation For Political Leverage

Small city public officials in the Sacramento area are using public money to support a bid to turn an unincorporated plot of land into a new city -- a move they hope will help to distribute regional planning power more equitably to smaller towns.

1 minute read

September 5, 2007, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Suburban Sacramento cities have given at least $50,000 to the committee working to turn 13 square miles of unincorporated Sacramento County into the city of Arden Arcade."

"Beyond contributing out of good will, some suburban city leaders say adding new cities within the county strengthens all of their hands when skirmishes arise with the region's dominant players."

"'Sacramento city and Sacramento County do dominate the local politics. I have friends down there -- they are good people -- but the decisions they make are not always the best decisions for Citrus Heights,' said Citrus Heights Mayor Jeff Slowey."

"Regional boards dealing with air, water, waste, flood control, libraries, and transit issues are composed of elected leaders from throughout the region. The power once held by Sacramento city and county leaders has been watered down as new cities have been formed and the boards expanded."

Sunday, September 2, 2007 in The Sacramento Bee

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