Thanks very much for the great up-to-date blow-by-blow reporting job. Some people in this little pond don't appreciate the hours and the work that goes into fully reporting the story. Stories like this are extremely important to let the community know what is happening. You do a great job, along with James Burger on the county beat. Reporters are not bots. And guest columnists who spin meaningless opinions in search of a fact are no substitute for actual reporting.

Thanks again for all you do.

So what’s the builders point. They will buddy up to the council. Toss out the idea of a lawsuit, if the council lowers the fee.

I say they shot themselves in the foot. If they are correct. And the city owes me money. I am going to sue no matter the deal the developers make. I’d say this is proof to the public that there has been a good ole boy program in Bakersfield for decades.

The council has no choice but to call the developers on their threat. If a suit would be valid. It’s coming now no matter what the developers insist on..

This suit would only lead to even greater impact fees.

And I can tell you without a doubt, not one of them will get out of this game with out their reputation sullied in the muck. 

This cream-puff council needs to tell the builders where to stick their threats.. 

I want to echo adam's comments~ Thanks for real reporting ! You and James both do an excellent job on local issues.

Gee, we have a banker, one CPA and one wannabe CPA/financial wizard on the Council now, plus a remarkably overpaid City Manager.  Any accountant/administrator/attorney worth their salt has the ability to adjust the figures to fit any scenario in their favor, right?  Maybe its time to propose another fee increase.  Surely a justification for that "nexus" is out there somewhere.  Where's Bill Thomas when you need him?  I mean, just throwing a $700 million "gift" at us and letting the chips (cow-type?) fall where they may, and then strong-arming the players behind the scenes can't be the end of his responsibility.

I also want to add my kudos to Gretchen and James (Geluso, too). 

Observer,

That’s nice to hear.
What is troubling is that, what a fund looked like has no bearing on the future needs.
So what if our funds of old were done improperly.
Sure mistakes need to be addressed. If there was purposeful misconduct. There should be a punishment. Refunds should be made.
That is my point when I say the lawsuit should go forward no matter the councils decision.

What is the builder purpose in bringing it up now?
Is there a bribe in formation?

What is clear. The 13 grand is needed even if there were no Thomas Fund demanding matching funds.

What is clear is even more is needed next year. And even more is needed in years following that.

I would like to see the builders promise to hold their home price at today’s levels for the next 15 years.
What would their response Be?

If the builders want certainty. Then we should give them certainty. A impact fund of 13 grand today. Must be increased by the COLA increases each year. In that way there wont have to be additional funds, no surprises.. In that way we will insure adequate funds to improve our infrastructure.

P.S.

Thanks for the nice comments...they're much appreciated!

- Gretchen