Politics & Government

State Rejects Highway 12 Project

"I'm disappointed, but not terribly surprised," said 1st District Supervisor Valerie Brown

 

The California Department of Finance has rejected the county's plans to continue the Highway 12 sidewalk project, the Sonoma Index Tribune is reporting.

News came late Thursday that the project, which was included on a list of Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) submitted to the state two weeks ago, was rejected in its bid for continuation.

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1st District Supervisor Valerie Brown said the project will now be reviewed by the Oversight Board, tasked with wrapping up stalled Redevelopment projects.

“I’m disappointed, but not terribly surprised,” Brown told the Index Tribune. “It’s hard to believe that the state didn’t summarily dismiss everything."

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The state said that the road, curb and sidewalk improvement for Highway 12 totaling $11.3 million do not qualify as enforceable obligations because “agreements contracts or arrangements between the County and the former redevelopment agency are not enforceable obligations.”

The Oversight Board will discuss possible responses to the state's letter in their meeting on May 4. Read more here.


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