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The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Lawsuit against Corpus Christi, mayor over hotel funding is dismissed

Lawsuit against Corpus Christi, mayor over hotel funding is dismissed

A lawsuit against the city of Corpus Christi and Mayor Guajardo has been formally dismissed with a settlement of $450,000 in taxpayer funding.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Perverse spending incentives are real. The bill always comes due | Opinion

Perverse spending incentives are real. The bill always comes due | Opinion

When it comes to the national debt, kicking the can down the road has always been easier than addressing the growing challenge, William Lyons writes.

Springfield News-Leader

Neighborhood Works+ narrows down Springfield improvement projects

Neighborhood Works+ narrows down Springfield improvement projects

Residents across Springfield submitted more than 560 ideas for neighborhood projects in early 2026. Now, 30 have been identified to move forward.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Corpus Christi's Inner Harbor desalination project again struck down

Corpus Christi's Inner Harbor desalination project again struck down

Work will cease on the Inner Harbor desalination project following another Corpus Christi City Council vote striking down a design contract.

Minneapolis Public Restroom Initiative Faces Delays Due to Procurement Challenges

Minneapolis Public Restroom Initiative Faces Delays Due to Procurement Challenges

Plans to construct new public restrooms on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, backed by a $700,000 budget amendment, have been put on hold. The delay stems primarily from procurement challenges, as the city has encountered a very limited number of vendors capable of supplying public restrooms that meet its specific requirements. These requirements include movability, independence from city utilities, self-cleaning technology, safety features, and resilience to cold weather. Kathleen Mayell, the city’s director of transportation planning and programming, informed Council members that the small quantity of units planned (five to eight) does not create a sufficient target market for vendors. Consequently, the $700,000 allocated for the project has been moved back to the Streetcar Value Capture Fund to ensure its availability for future restroom initiatives.

Fort Wayne Police Department Discontinues Use of Flock License Plate Reader Technology

Fort Wayne Police Department Discontinues Use of Flock License Plate Reader Technology

The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) has officially discontinued its use of Flock License Plate Reader technology. This decision follows careful consideration and discussions between the FWPD Chief and Mayor Tucker, particularly after the City Council voted against approving a proposed Flock contract. While the FWPD Chief initially explored options for a smaller contract to retain some cameras, the federal government authorized an early closure of the grant that initially funded the program without penalty. The Chief acknowledged the technology's value as an investigative tool, citing its use in developing leads, locating vehicles involved in criminal activity, recovering stolen vehicles, finding missing persons, and assisting in serious criminal investigations. However, the department ultimately prioritized maintaining community trust and the relationship with elected leaders over the continued use of this specific technology.

Jersey City Council Approves 15.15% Property Tax Hike to Address $255 Million Deficit

Jersey City Council Approves 15.15% Property Tax Hike to Address $255 Million Deficit

The Jersey City City Council has approved an $886 million municipal budget for 2026, which includes a 15.15% increase in the city's property tax rate. This decision was made to close a substantial $255 million deficit. Alongside the tax increase, the budget incorporates $58 million in spending cuts across various city departments. The approval follows months of negotiations with the state of New Jersey, which initially pushed for a 20% tax hike. The city also secured a $120 million state aid package, comprising a $105 million loan and a $15 million grant. This aid package grants the Department of Community Affairs oversight of Jersey City's spending and the authority to set the tax rate if they deem it necessary. An average home assessed at $480,000 is projected to see municipal taxes rise from $11,203 in 2025 to $12,813 in 2026. This municipal tax increase comes in addition to separate increases from the Jersey City Board of Education (14%) and Hudson County (14%).

The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus taps debt fund, windfall to close $18M budget gap as safety OT soars

Columbus taps debt fund, windfall to close $18M budget gap as safety OT soars

Hardin continues to condemn Ginther's handling of Columbus finances after city uses a debt service fund and a windfall to erase an $18M deficit.

Charlotte Data Center Task Force Members Demand Transparency and City Leader Assistance

Charlotte Data Center Task Force Members Demand Transparency and City Leader Assistance

Members of Charlotte's data center task force are expressing significant concerns regarding the lack of information and assistance from the city and elected leaders. Christopher John Scalise, representing District 5 on the task force, stated that they are not receiving the necessary data to make informed decisions or create effective plans for future data center projects. Scalise highlighted the difficulty in obtaining solid data to properly address community concerns and formulate policy recommendations. The task force, comprising nearly two dozen individuals, is responsible for conducting community engagement sessions to gather feedback on data centers and understand residents' preferences. However, members like Scalise feel they are not being provided with adequate information on how data centers impact communities. With a 150-day moratorium on new data centers nearing its end, there is growing apprehension that the task force will not have sufficient time to develop and present their proposed plans and...

Manteca City Council Proposes Stricter Zoning Regulations for New Gas Stations

Manteca City Council Proposes Stricter Zoning Regulations for New Gas Stations

The Manteca City Council is considering new zoning changes that would significantly restrict the placement and development of new gas stations within the city. These proposed rules include an outright ban on new gas stations in neighborhood commercial and manufacturing commercial zones. Additionally, the council will review an emergency 45-day moratorium on accepting new gas station applications to allow time for these new regulations to be implemented. Under the new proposals, gas stations would only be permitted in general commercial and mixed-use commercial zones, requiring a more rigorous conditional use permit process. Current regulations allow a majority of existing fueling stations in Manteca to be located less than 300 feet from residential areas. The proposed changes aim to increase the distance between gas stations and residential properties, requiring a minimum of 300 feet from residential property lines and 500 feet between fueling stations, with exceptions for two stations at the same intersec...

La Mesa Mayoral Race Heats Up with Two Councilmembers Vying for Open Seat

La Mesa Mayoral Race Heats Up with Two Councilmembers Vying for Open Seat

La Mesa, California, is preparing for a significant mayoral election this November as current Mayor Mark Arapostathis is termed out. The race features four candidates, with two prominent figures being Councilmember Patricia Dillard and Councilmember Laura Lothian. Dillard, a 25-year resident of La Mesa and a mortgage broker, has served on the City Council for four years and is the vice chair of the city’s Community Police Oversight Board. Her campaign focuses on ensuring economic opportunities and high-quality education for all La Mesans. Lothian, a real estate agent who has also served on the City Council for over four years, is known for spearheading the hiring of a community cleanup coordinator and advocating against a battery storage facility in a residential area. Her platform includes simplifying the city's permitting process, protecting small businesses, and addressing graffiti and litter. The other two candidates are Jim Stieringer, a retired businessman and former city treasurer, and Quinn Reese, ...

Potsdam Village Establishes Public Donation Account for Fall Island Skatepark Project

Potsdam Village Establishes Public Donation Account for Fall Island Skatepark Project

The Village of Potsdam has approved a resolution to create a public donation account for the Fall Island skatepark project. This initiative allows individuals to contribute financially to the development and construction of the facility, with donations payable to the village treasurer and deposited into a dedicated fund. The resolution also authorizes village representatives to solicit donations, though it prohibits contributions from anyone with pending procurement or regulatory matters. Mayor Alexandra Jacobs-Wilke noted that while the village has accepted donations for past projects, this is their first time actively soliciting funds for a capital project in this manner. Planning Director David Thurlow confirmed that the legal process for establishing the fund was thoroughly vetted. The skatepark project is partially funded by the village's 2019 Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award. Initially removed from the approved DRI list, the skatepark was later reincorporated into the broader Riverwalk ...