Sonoma County supervisors were told Tuesday that they could have $24.4 million in property tax revenue available through mid-2017 to complete former county redevelopment projects and programs.

Healdsburg has received some welcome news — approval to spend $13.5 million in bond proceeds that were at stake after the state dissolved redevelopment agencies.

State finance officials again have rejected bids by Sonoma County and Santa Rosa to continue with several high-profile redevelopment projects, a move that may trigger them to join the growing list of local governments suing the state. The latest rejections from the Department of Finance will likely prompt the county to proceed with its lawsuit against the state, a county attorney said.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday allocated $450,000 to continue one of its major redevelopment projects: Street and sidewalk improvements along Highway 12 north of Sonoma.

Petaluma filed suit against the state Department of Finance this week in an effort to retain millions of dollars in redevelopment funds the city had earmarked for two major road projects, including the East Washington Street-Highway 101 interchange that has been under construction for months.

The Santa Rosa City Council this week granted a fourth contract extension to a developer hoping to construct a 10-story mixed-use tower downtown. Hugh Futrell and partners will now have until the end of 2013 to close escrow on the city-owned former AT&T building.

Petaluma is preparing to sue the state in an effort to retain millions of dollars in redevelopment funds the city targeted for three major road projects — including one under construction. At stake is about $38 million the city had been counting on from property taxes collected through its former Redevelopment Agency. The Legislature abolished redevelopment agencies throughout the state last year and has staked a claim to the tax receipts to supplement the state budget.

The state is standing firm in rejecting a Sonoma County request to keep more than $16 million in redevelopment funds for two major projects in Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood.
On Tuesday, Sonoma County supervisors decried the state Department of Finance’s recent decision to deny the use of redevelopment funds to complete the Roseland Village plaza, including a residential and commercial complex, as well as the Highway 12 street and sidewalk upgrades in an area north of Sonoma known as The Springs.
The state’s decision — the third time the Department of Finance has rejected the county’s bid to retain the money — raises questions about the future of two high-profile projects that have been planned for years.

A compromise has been reached in the dispute over $30 million in taxpayer dollars for the new 49ers stadium. But still, it’s a better deal for the NFL. Schools get $7 million. The Niners get the rest.

Rohnert Park is slashing funding for nonprofits it has helped support for years. The move presages the withdrawal of its support entirely, officials say.