Fontana's city manager sees a 'bright future' for the city
Even though the foreclosure cloud looms over Fontana's horizon, its city manager Kent Hunt is optimistic.
"Fontana has a bright future," Hunt said.
Given the economic situation, in 2009 the city is looking to keep the organization stable, Hunt said.
"We will continue to provide the community with services while living within our means," he said.
There are no plans for layoffs at this time.
In May, the state lawmakers will grab more than $6.9 million from the
city, ranking it behind Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego and Oakland as
the biggest payers in a $350 million transfer of redevelopment funds to
the state coffer, under AB 1389, a trailer bill folded into the budget
signed Sept. 23 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"We don't have a choice," Hunt said. "We'll have to find the money someplace."
Much-needed interchanges along the 10 and 15 freeways will be delayed as well as improvement at the congested intersection of Slover and Etiwanda avenues.
The city is not alone in paying more in 2009.
The Fontana Water Company is seeking a 26 percent overall increase on user rates for its 44,000 meters effective July 1. Rates will vary among customers, depending on the type of meter they have and how much water they use, officials said.
The company has to cover increasing costs of operations and new projects, such as a $35 million treatment plant in Lytle Creek and new headquarters in the city, President Michael Whitehead said.
According to Realtytrac.com Web site, there are currently more than 5,000 properties in Fontana that are in foreclosure or have received a notice of default.
But help is on the way.
Through the Housing and Urban Development Department's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Fontana will receive $5.9 million in January.
The money will allow redevelopment officials to purchase foreclosed homes in order for the properties to be refurbished and resold.
The dollars could also be used to demolish and redevelop blighted dwellings.
The program requires 25 percent of money to be used to house people who earn less than 50 percent of their area's median income.
The remaining 75 percent of Neighborhood Stabilization dollars could be used to supply housing to people who make as much as 120 percent of their area's median income or $75,000.
The city plans to initially purchase 30 homes, Hunt said.
Since the program will last 18 months, the city will use proceeds from the sales to purchase more homes.
"We hope to churn the money two or three times," Hunt said.
mediha.dimartino@inlandnewspapers.com
"We don't have a choice," Hunt said. "We'll have to find the money someplace."
Much-needed interchanges along the 10 and 15 freeways will be delayed as well as improvement at the congested intersection of Slover and Etiwanda avenues.
The city is not alone in paying more in 2009.
The Fontana Water Company is seeking a 26 percent overall increase on user rates for its 44,000 meters effective July 1. Rates will vary among customers, depending on the type of meter they have and how much water they use, officials said.
The company has to cover increasing costs of operations and new projects, such as a $35 million treatment plant in Lytle Creek and new headquarters in the city, President Michael Whitehead said.
According to Realtytrac.com Web site, there are currently more than 5,000 properties in Fontana that are in foreclosure or have received a notice of default.
But help is on the way.
Through the Housing and Urban Development Department's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Fontana will receive $5.9 million in January.
The money will allow redevelopment officials to purchase foreclosed homes in order for the properties to be refurbished and resold.
The dollars could also be used to demolish and redevelop blighted dwellings.
The program requires 25 percent of money to be used to house people who earn less than 50 percent of their area's median income.
The remaining 75 percent of Neighborhood Stabilization dollars could be used to supply housing to people who make as much as 120 percent of their area's median income or $75,000.
The city plans to initially purchase 30 homes, Hunt said.
Since the program will last 18 months, the city will use proceeds from the sales to purchase more homes.
"We hope to churn the money two or three times," Hunt said.
mediha.dimartino@inlandnewspapers.com
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