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.

Tippin joined the City of Redding in 2004 as Assistant Director of Development Services (often associated with engineering roles). He progressed to Director of the Transportation and Engineering Department, then to Director of Redding Electric Utility (REU). In early 2017, he advanced to Assistant City Manager, and later that year was appointed interim City Manager before becoming permanent City Manager. This career spanned over 21 years of service.