Redding seeks community members for two committees aimed at providing advice on the city’s financial processes

Amid the debut of new Redding City Manager William Tarbox — who hopes to overhaul the city’s budget and spending with the results of a new efficiency study — the city has put out a call for members of the public to apply to join two committees focused on finances: the newly-formed Financial Advisory Committee, and a more formalized version of the city’s pre-existing Audit Committee.

Over the course of 2025, the city budget was a hot topic as the council underwent tense negotiations on how to make up for a projected $5 million dollar deficit. One unsuccessful attempt to close that gap was a citizen-led tax initiative that appeared on ballots last November, but which voters declined to approve. 

Without hope of tax funds, city council members are implementing a new financial committee in hopes of adding more citizen input to the process of budget development. They’ve also formalized the city’s long-standing Audit Committee.

“These committees are an important step in bringing more voices into the financial conversation,” Mayor Mike Littau said in a press release yesterday. “Whether it’s helping with input on our financial future or strengthening accountability, we want local residents to be part of the process.”

The Financial Advisory Committee will include seven members including two city council members who will be appointed by the mayor as well as five community members, each selected by a different council member. Community members selected for appointment will have to be approved by a majority of council members to take their seat. Once formed, the committee will map out strategies and priorities for how the city budget is structured, informed by economic trends and the perspectives of committee members from industry and stakeholder groups.

As newly-structured, the city’s Audit Committee consists of two voting members — the mayor and vice mayor — and up to two non-voting members selected from the public by a majority of the council. This committee also serves in an advisory capacity by helping oversee internal and external audits, analyzing the findings of audits, and promoting best practices in government spending, risk management, and accountability. 

To apply to be appointed as one of the five community members on the Financial Advisory Committee, or one of the two non-voting members on the Audit Committee, visit the City of Redding’s website. Applications are due on April 17, at 5 P.M.

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