Are We Doubling Down on Economic Development?
One of the most frequently asked questions we get both privately and publicly is what is happening…
My View: Fiscal Situation Not on the Backs of the Progressives
While it has been an easy mark to pin the demise of the innovation parks, and perhaps…
Budget Item on Fire Suggests Continuation of Share Management
At one point in time it seemed likely that the city’s Shared Management Agreement with UC Davis…
What Does “Renew Davis” Mean to You?
Davis Mayor Dan Wolk has used the term “Renew Davis” on a range of policy goals and…
$15 Minimum Wage Gets a Boost as Los Angeles Approves It
When a small group of activists in 2014 proposed a $15 per hour minimum wage, it seemed…
Study Shows Potential Economic Impact, Benefits of Innovation Centers
On Monday, the consultant A. Plescia & Co. Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) made a presentation to…
Commentary: Council Should Prioritize Spending… Oh Wait, They Have
In recent days, the Vanguard has noted what would appear to be a trend. The city finances…
Sunday Commentary: Will Voters Support Innovation Parks Absent Economic Crisis?
As the discussion on Innovation Parks emerged over the last year or two, part of the rationale…
City Manager Discusses Employee Morale, the Fire Department, and Economic Development in Follow Up to Meyer Report
On Friday, the Vanguard joined new City Manager Dirk Brazil and former City Manager John Meyer, who,…
Sunday Commentary: Avoiding Repeating the Mistakes of Davis Budget History
I look at articles like Dan Carson’s (5/2, New City Staff Forecast Says Fiscal Year to End…
New City Staff Forecast Says Fiscal Year to End with Substantial Reserve
By Dan Carson A city staff report released Friday says that better-than-expected growth in property tax revenues…
Meyer Report Recommends Undoing Organizational Changes But Doubling Down on Economic Development
On Tuesday, we presented that the report from John Meyer on Davis City Hall described a fragile…
Monday Morning Thoughts: Does the Community Really Want Innovation Parks?
People will tell me that I am too early on this assessment, or that I am speculating….
CalPERS Contributions to Put More Squeeze on Local Funding For Roads
CalPERS contribution rates will rise more than nine percent, a move that experts project will cost state…
Commentary: Can We Restore Trust in City’s Finances and Governance?
On Tuesday, PublicCEO posted a fascinating piece from Bill Britt of California Forward. The article was “Three…
Commentary: Will Innovation Parks Come Down to the Assessment of the City Budget?
Davis has a strong slow growth legacy embodied within the passage and renewal of Measure J/Measure R,…
New Set of Goals and Objectives Nearing Council Approval
By Dan Carson I always take political campaigns for public office with a grain of salt. They…
Commentary: Council Missing Opportunities To Engage on Key Issues
One of my Monday Morning Thoughts was on an idea presented where we put a larger focal…
Analysis: Sacramento Firefighters’ Contract is a Warning Sign For Davis
In December 2013, the Davis City Council unanimously voted to impose the last, best and final offer…
Commentary: Mayor Strikes Careful Balance Recasting Challenges as Opportunity
One of the biggest questions we had was what would a Mayor Dan Wolk term look like…
