Living in Shasta County or Redding is getting more expensive for regular taxpayers — and a big reason is the growing cost of public employees. Top government workers are earning compensation packages that most local families can only dream of. But that’s only part of the story. These high salaries come with very expensive lifetime pensions that taxpayers are still paying for years after these employees retire.

The Redding City Council convened Tuesday for a lengthy meeting dominated by extended public comment on the administrative leave and reinstatement of Police Chief Brian Barner, followed by formal council action to appoint a new city manager and renewed discussion of Civic Auditorium funding through an ad hoc committee originally formed last month.

Tensions flair up as Redding City Mayor Jack Munns Won't Allow Council Member Audette to Use Her PointPoint Presentation to Address Issues with the City Finance Director's Response to Her Budget Findings Report