The politics around this latest attempt at cityhood are perhaps even more aggressive than in the others, except maybe the very first.
Cityhood aid questioned
Are cities' contributions to Arden Arcade's bid legal?
By Ed Fletcher - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, September 2, 2007
Suburban Sacramento cities have given at least $50,000 to the committee working to turn 13 square miles of unincorporated Sacramento County into the city of Arden Arcade.
Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove and Folsom all have chipped in.
Beyond contributing out of good will, some suburban city leaders say adding new cities within the county strengthens all of their hands when skirmishes arise with the region's dominant players.
"Sacramento city and Sacramento County do dominate the local politics. I have friends down there -- they are good people -- but the decisions they make are not always the best decisions for Citrus Heights," said Citrus Heights Mayor Jeff Slowey.
But some have questioned whether the cities' contributions are legal.
State law prohibits government entities from making gifts of public funds.
Contributions must have some benefit to the government entity.
Rancho Cordova ($25,000) and Citrus Heights ($15,000) have given them most to date. Folsom and Elk Grove each gave $5,000.
