March 16, 2026

Audio alert - this episode we experimented with an in-person version of the show, and something went wrong with Skyler’s mic. Please give us a little grace in the audio department on this ep.

This week Skyler is joined by Jeff Kessler, who works with Vacancy Fee Sacramento. Jeff’s org works towards pushing the CIty to use fees and potentially a vacancy tax to promote development & stabilize lease prices, addressing blight and economic justice in one fell swoop. Vacancy taxes & fees are both being discussed at tomorrow’s Law & Legislation meeting at 11am, so this is a great primer for that discussion, which is on our “attend and advocate” recommendations this week.

Follow Vacancy Fee Sacramento on Instagram!

Here’s what’s coming up tomorrow at City Hall:

Law & Legislation, Tuesday, March 17, 11am

 

• Item 5: Status Update on Prior Vacant Property Tax Exploration (LR25-004)
• Item 6: Discussion of an Enhanced Vacant Lot and Vacant Building Monitoring and Enforcement Program

 

City Council, Tuesday, March 17, 2pm

 

• Item 14: Early Budget Work Session - Budget Context and City Department Reports on Departmental Budgets, Reduction Strategies, and Potential Impacts (Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment, Community Development Department, Finance Department, Human Resources, Information Technology, Department of Utilities, and Public Works Department)

 

City Council, Tuesday, March 17, 5pm

 

• Item 2: Vision Zero Action Plan Update High Injury Network (HIN) Development

Other meetings happening this week at the County that are not addressed in the episode but worth watching nonetheless:

• Sheriff Community Review Commission
• Sacramento County Behavioral Health Commission General Meeting

Public comment from the budget item last Tuesday

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