California City of San Bernardino files for bankruptcy

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The city of San Bernardino filed an emergency petition for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, making a move the City Council approved last month official. According to the interim city manager, city will continue to operate and provide essential services while working through its financial problems.

The city also said there are no immediate plans to reduce or make changes to services. However, officials are continuing to work on a plan that will serve as the city's operational budget during the bankruptcy process. Under that plan, reductions may take place, but there are no firm ideas as to what that may entail, officials said.

The decision to file for bankruptcy was in response to a $45.8 million budget shortfall the city faces this year.

San Bernardino, a city of 210,000 people, began voting on the possibility of bankruptcy July 10. It is now the third California city to declare insolvency this year, joining Stockton and Mammoth Lakes. Read more >>