City Manager Issues Statement to Staff on Casino

Staff:

Over the past several days you have undoubtedly heard or read about the latest developments with the casino project in Rohnert Park. In short, Governor Jerry Brown signed a state compact with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

The agreement is 274-pages and carefully outlines a vast number of details connected to the casino project. The reason I write to you about the latest developments is the signing of a compact is a very significant step in the process, one that has taken the Tribe years to accomplish.

That said, it is also true that much is left to be done before a casino and related opportunities are finally planned and built. Importantly, while revenue from the casino development will come eventually to the city, unfortunately, that will not occur in the near future.

Moreover, some of the funds were advanced in the past to fund special enforcement in Public Safety and must be repaid. In a sense, some of the funds were pre-spent to provide enhanced retirement benefits and increased benefits and salaries.  

Because I firmly believe in transparency and keeping you entirely in the information loop, I wanted to emphasize that it will be some time before money begins to flow into the city treasury as a result of casino-related business operations. 

In the meantime, we must continue to live within our means. Additionally, as the project moves forward there will be proponents and opponents weighing in on all aspects of the plan. From my perspective and that of the City Council, this is a land use project following an agreement between the Federated Indians and the State of California, not Rohnert Park.

Nevertheless, and in that light, we will be applying our professional expertise to assure the best possible project is realized for the citizens of Rohnert Park.

While some may wish to politicize the issue, our goal will remain applying professional scrutiny to that over which we have control. As time moves forward I will provide regular updates on this project and encourage you to forward questions and any concerns to my office.  

Sincerely, 

Gabe Gonzalez