Hiring freeze already in effect as Circle 6 efficiency study continues; layoffs expected once findings are released. William Tarbox, who served as Redding City Manager from February until his death on July 19, 2026. Information circulating since the sudden death of Redding City Manager William Tarbox suggests budget shortfalls are significantly more severe than public statements have conveyed. Tarbox died July 19 of cardiac arrest at age 56, only five months after starting th

The City of Redding’s new City Manager, William Tarbox is only three weeks into his role and has already taken the bold step of calling for an all-department review of City government, putting a pause on the REU (Redding Electric Utility) rate hike request that was set for a hearing on March 17th. A press conference was announced on March 12th and conducted at Redding City Hall Chambers this morning, March 13th. The March 17th hearing for the rate hike has been canceled.

In a brazen display of fiscal maneuvering, the City of Redding is poised to ram through an 18% cumulative electric rate increase over the next 3.5 years via the Redding Electric Utility (REU)—just months after voters decisively rejected a proposed 1% sales tax hike in the November 2025 election. Measure A, which aimed to boost the city's sales tax from 7.25% to 8.25% and generate an estimated $30 million annually, was shot down by a resounding 63-64% of voters.