REDDING, Calif. — A consulting report says the city of Redding has identified about $83 million in money, projects and contracts that could be cleaned up, reallocated or reviewed for possible savings.
Circle 6 Consulting reviewed city finances, departments and operations as part of a four-phase assessment. The report said the figure includes money already moved, future savings and funds that still need legal, financial or City Council review before they can be used.
Most of the $83 million is tied to enterprise funds, such as city utility operations, according to the report. The findings also include vacant-position salary savings, old purchase orders, unused project money and other carryover balances.
The report lists about $1 million in vacancy salary savings for the General Fund in the current fiscal year and estimates another $1.85 million could be available next year if positions are eliminated.
Consultants said the city should review old contracts, project balances and other money that may no longer be needed. They also recommended tracking savings and unresolved financial risks through a citywide dashboard.
The report raised concerns about Redding Fire Department overtime. It said Fire Department labor costs totaled about $10.9 million in fiscal year 2025, including $4.65 million in overtime. The department had budgeted about $2.23 million for overtime.
The consultants also suggested the city study whether fire dispatch could move from SHASCOM to Cal Fire. The report said Redding Fire and Police each pay about $1.4 million for dispatch, with costs expected to rise to about $1.8 million per department. Cal Fire has said it could provide fire dispatch for about $800,000 per year, the report said.
No changes have been approved. The report recommends additional analysis before the city makes decisions involving staffing, dispatch services, pension costs or restricted funds.
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