Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson Wants Office Budget Steeply Increased

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Mayor Kevin Johnson is defending more than half a million dollars in new money and staffing for his office as an investment.

On Thursday, he was celebrating the documentary "Playing To Win," about the fight to keep the Sacramento Kings from leaving town.

On the same week of the premiere, the city's proposed budget is also out, calling for taking money and staffing in the mayor's office to new highs.

"We've got a really ambitious agenda. We've got work to do," he said. "I'm really proud of where we are."

Currently, Johnson's office has seven staff members. Under the new budget, Johnson would add two more positions for $194,000 and three positions called liaison staff to work with the city manager's office for $450,000. The increased spending comes to $651,902. Two years ago his total budget was just over $900,000.

"I have six or seven staff as a mayor," he said. "The city manager's office has 4,000 staff. Most people don't realize that."

The added staff comes just months after Johnson's failed bid to take over the city manager's responsibilities. His strong-mayor initiative was drubbed in November's election, leading the mayor to find a new path to use his power in city hall.

When asked if he would seek another term in the mayor's office, Johnson said he has 18 months left and hasn't made up his mind just yet.