Local town defaults

The city of Chowchilla is in a state of fiscal crisis as officials wind down their list of options to remain solvent. The city has already cut personnel by as much as one-third in the last 18 months and reportedly all options are being considered, including disincorporation as a last resort. City council members no longer receive pay for their work, furloughs have been instituted for all personnel (except police), and as stated, layoffs have hit the city’s workforce. The city’s financial troubles stem from poor revenues, poor decisions by former officials, and the housing crisis, according to officials. Also worth noting is that Chowchilla had to default on a $5.9 million bond that was used to build its City Hall.

J Brown reporting at Cal City News.