Redding City Council Meeting Highlights from May 19, 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Redding City Council held its regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The session lasted approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes and covered routine business, financial updates, public safety items, and forward-looking decisions on key city assets.
Master Fee Schedule Increases Hearing Scheduled for June 16
Council members and staff referenced upcoming discussions on potential master fee schedule increases, with a public hearing set for the June 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding. The Master Fee Schedule includes charges such as dog licenses and fire inspection fees. The proposed increase aligns with broader fiscal pressures, including utility rates and other city services, though specific details for this hearing were not the primary focus of the May 19 session.
Appointments to Audit Committee
The council addressed appointments to the city's Audit Committee (and related financial advisory efforts). These bodies aim to enhance transparency, oversight of financial reporting, and public trust in city finances. The appointments were as follows:
Audit Committee
(1) Mayor Mike Littau’s appointment of one non-voting member,
Ken Freigher, for a two-year term to November 30, 2028;
(2) Vice Mayor Dr. Paul Dhanuka’s appointment of one non-voting
member in 2026, Dale Ball, for a one-year term to November 30, 2027; and
Financial Advisory Committee
(1) Mayor Littau’s two Council Member appointments of himself and
Council Member Tenessa Audette;
(2) Council Member-sponsored appointments:
(a) Mayor Mike Littau – Jason Richart, for a three-year term to November 30,
2029;
(b) Vice Mayor Dr. Dhanuka – Michael Quinn, for a three-year term to
November 30, 2029;
(c) Mayor Pro Tempore Erin Resner – Bruce Dean, for a one-year term to
November 30, 2027;
(d) Council Member Tenessa Audette – Dennice Maxwell, for a one-year
term to November 30, 2027; and
(e) Council Member Jack Munns – Kurt Swanson, for a one-year term to
November 30, 2027.
Electric Utility Quarterly Financial Report
Redding Electric Utility (REU) Assistant Director Joe Bowers presented the quarterly financial report, consistent with regular updates on revenues, expenses, and industry activities. Earlier in 2026, REU had proposed multi-year rate adjustments (around 4.5% annually) to address infrastructure and power supply costs, as well as regulatory needs; however, those rate increases were put on hold by new City Manager William Tarbox, who wanted to complete an efficiency study for all City departments. Power costs were 3.5% below budget, which helped the bottom line. The City-owned generator at the base of Whiskeytown Dam was due for federal permitting, and Bowers now reports that the permitting process is more streamlined.
Civic Auditorium Contract with Advance Redding Winding Down; RFP Planned
A significant item involved the future of the Redding Civic Auditorium. The current contract/lease arrangement with Advance Redding (a nonprofit operator) is winding down. The council voted unanimously to move forward with a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek a new entity or operator to manage the venue, as Advance Redding does not see a path to continue operating the Civic. Discussions included potential short-term transition funding (previously considered at $80,000/month), but the emphasis was on soliciting new bids while ensuring continuity of operations. This follows prior financial support to the operator and aims to establish a sustainable model without heavy, ongoing city subsidies. Contract parameters were discussed and agreed upon by the Councilmembers and the Director of Community Services, Travis Menne, who acknowledged that the timeline for having the potential new lessee in place by the end of October is aggressive. Public comments included Leslie Sawyer criticizing Advance Redding for alleged unprofessional conduct toward someone seeking to rent the facility for an event and for spending funds to put the failed Measure A sales tax initiative on the ballot. Dr. Dhanuka expressed a hope that private funds can be raised to keep the Civic running, and he stated that Advance Redding is working on this in the next few weeks.
Annual Redding Police Military Equipment Report
As required by California Assembly Bill 481, the Redding Police Department delivered its annual presentation on military equipment inventory, use, and policies for the period covering roughly June 2025–May 2026. The report details deployments, costs, complaints (if any), and compliance. This is a standard transparency measure for specialized equipment.
Approval Requested for SKYDIO R10 Drone
The council considered a request for approval to acquire a Skydio R10 drone (with two-way communications capabilities) for the Redding Police Department. Priced around $9,946 including accessories, this indoor-capable drone supports Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, enhancing officer safety in building searches, standoffs, and other scenarios. It fits into patrol vehicles and provides real-time situational awareness.
Quarterly Financial Report by Director of Finance Greg Robinett
Finance Director and City Treasurer Greg Robinett presented the quarterly financial report, providing an overview of the city's overall fiscal health, revenues, expenditures, and projections. Sales tax revenues have been down 1.2% year over year, and overtime spending in the Fire Department was over budget, possibly offset by savings for not filling open positions. In February 2026 discussions, finance staff noted a ~$3 million shortfall to both meet the budget and maintain the 10% reserve by the end of the fiscal year. City Manager Tarbox has implemented a hiring freeze except for mission-critical positions. Councilmember Audette requested that an update to the 10-year plan be prepared and presented at the next meeting. She also requested a monthly assessment of reserves and the reinstatement of an investment committee to assess the City's investment portfolio. Dr. Dhanuka suggested exploring ways to increase revenue by attracting more businesses and people to Redding, as expenses are rising at a hyperinflationary rate.
Other Notes
The meeting opened with a mayoral presentation encouraging residents and businesses to display American flags from May 22 to July 12, 2026, in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.
Public comment included topics like parks/trails fundraising and civic engagement.
No major reportable action came out of closed session.
The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility, public safety enhancements, and community asset management. The full video is available via the City of Redding's Granicus portal or YouTube channel.
Upcoming meetings follow the standard schedule: First and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 PM.
For the most complete details, viewers are encouraged to watch the archived recording. Upcoming meetings, including the June 16 hearing, will provide further opportunities for public input.
