Early Budget Work Session - Budget Context and City Department Reports

Encouraged the city to use taxpayer dollars efficiently through a public bank rather than Wall Street.

Spoke on behalf of the Sacramento Climate Coalition supporting public banking for green infrastructure and local lending.

Highlighted social determinants of health and argued that a public bank improves economic stability and community health.

Requested funding restoration for a public bank viability study to assist with affordable housing pre-development costs.

Asked the council to resume funding for a public bank to reroute tax dollars from Wall Street and support minority businesses.

Asked to restore funding for a public bank feasibility study to prioritize community health and long-term well-being.

Asked the council to restore $250,000 previously allocated for a public bank feasibility study.

Called for funding to be restored for the public bank to divest from fossil fuels and support local economic goals.

Spoke in favor of public banking as a way to invest in green energy and local control.

Urged the council to put money back into the budget for public banking to meet local community needs.

Expressed interest in public banking as a tool to fund small housing and community developments.

Requested restoration of funding for a public bank to help recycle city funds into affordable housing and community needs.

Urged renewed commitment to a public bank to divest from private prisons/ICE and reinvest in minority businesses and housing.

Spoke in support of protecting the Hiram Johnson High School Police Magnet Academy from budget cuts, sharing personal growth.

Supported the Hiram Johnson Law Academy, noting how mentorship and structure helped him find community and leadership.

Shared how the Law Academy and wrestling team built her confidence and urged protection of the program.

Assistant principal at Hiram Johnson High School urging the council to protect the Magnet Police Academy due to its 100% graduation rate.

Principal of Hiram Johnson High School spoke in favor of keeping magnet academy funding as a proven anchor for student success.

Listed numerous coalition organizations supporting the public bank feasibility study and urged funding restoration.

Supported a public bank for local community benefit and small business lending.

Supported a public bank and criticized city expenditures on homeless sweeps and trailer housing.

Supported moving forward with the $250,000 public bank study to proactively manage city financing.

Urged moving forward with the public bank feasibility study to better leverage public dollars during a budget deficit.

Supported public banking but criticized the budget process for placing disproportionate cuts on community programs versus police.

Urged the council not to cut hours or days at the Bell Coolidge Community Center, highlighting the vital exercise and social programs for seniors.

Emphasized the importance of the Bell Coolidge Community Center as a safe, walkable place for seniors to exercise and socialize, asking council not to close it.

Highlighted the vibrant community at Bell Coolidge and questioned why seniors must bear the burden of budget cuts after paying taxes for years.

Spoke as the treasurer of the Manitos art club at the Hart Senior Center, describing the club's long history and active participation among seniors ranging up to 99 years old.

Explained how professional staff at the Hart Senior Center are essential in helping volunteers set up and run programs for seniors, warning that staff cuts would severely impact services.

Framed senior fitness classes as clinical interventions that prevent expensive falls and reduce isolation, arguing that cuts will increase healthcare and emergency service burdens.

Shared her positive experiences participating in walking and fitness groups at the Hart Center, emphasizing that seniors deserve dignity, community, and support.

Co-lead of the Strength and Balance group at the Hart Center, presenting petitions signed by 250 people asking council to protect senior staffing and operating hours.

Advocated for Access Leisure programs and asked council not to cut program coordinator positions, sharing how specialized recreation transformed her special needs son's life.

Described Bell Coolidge as a lifeline and a front-line defense against the loneliness epidemic and physical decline, urging council not to balance the deficit on seniors.

Current vice chair of the Sacramento Youth Commission, expressing opposition to cutting Yipsey's Summer and Semester at City Hall programs which shape future civic leaders.

President of the association managing clubs at Shepherd Garden and Arts Center, proposing a lease option where volunteers take over operations to avoid city fees.

Retired supervisor of Access Leisure who spoke against staffing cuts, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of specialized recreation for individuals with disabilities.

High school student and former Summer at City Hall participant speaking against strategy L3-24, which proposes eliminating youth civic programs.

Volunteer facilitator at the Hart Center emphasizing that it is a specialized senior center, not a community center, and urging council not to cut half of its employees.

Active participant at Bell Coolidge Community Center attending five days a week, highlighting fitness, arts, and social classes that give seniors a reason to stay active.

Retired school teacher attending Japanese calligraphy at Bell Coolidge, praising the center's safe environment, exceptional staff, and thriving multi-generational classes.

Irish immigrant who joined Bell Coolidge after retiring, praising the positive impact of fitness and social classes on her well-being and community connection.

Representing Youth Forward and the Sac Kids First Coalition, urging council to protect Yipsey funding and reject cuts to youth and senior programs.

Spoke on behalf of Local Innovating Politics and Sacramento Racial Equity Alliance against proposed cuts to the Office of Diversity and Equity and Yipsey.

Active participant in Access Leisure sharing how adaptive programs helped her build independence and confidence, asking council not to eliminate the program.

Shared how the Hart Senior Center helped his late mother and himself find community and friendship, urging council not to gut the center by cutting staff.

Former Yipsey employee and recreation aide speaking against proposed cuts to Summer and Semester at City Hall and the Youth Commission.

Sacramento State student speaking against budget cuts to Yipsey and the Youth Commission, emphasizing that youth programs provide essential career and leadership skills.

Student activist opposing proposed budget cuts to youth commission and civic programs, arguing that youth voices are vital in local government.

Volunteer with Rewild Sacramento urging council not to defund Yipsey or lay off staff, highlighting the critical role of park maintenance.

District 3 resident and College Democrats president speaking in favor of protecting Summer and Semester at City Hall to ensure young people feel represented in government.

Representing Ecos natural areas team, supporting parks programming and emphasizing the need for park maintenance staff to protect natural resources.

District 2 resident urging council to find another solution rather than cutting parks departments, noting ongoing cleanup efforts along the bike trail.