Vice Mayor Jason Lee Calls for Slush Fund Expansion, Proposes Liberating City Manager’s $150,000 Piggy Bank

STOCKTON, CA – In a groundbreaking display of fiscal innovation, the Stockton City Council is exploring a bold new strategy for community investment: taking the City Manager's $150,000 discretionary "slush fund" and enthusiastically converting it into seven smaller, more personal slush funds. The move, hailed by some on the council as a win for direct constituent service, echoes the legendary financial maneuvers of former County Supervisor and slush fund extraordinaire, Tom Patti.

The proposal, championed by Vice Mayor Jason Lee during a June 4 budget session, aims to solve the "crazy" problem of councilmembers having only a meager $15,000 in their slush fund.

"I know we have budget restraints, but $15,000 just isn't enough," Lee lamented, outlining the dire financial straits facing his district's party-planning budget. He described the heart-wrenching choice between sponsoring the young Stockton Vikings or attending the One Voice lobbying trip, a Sophie's Choice for any modern statesman. "I don't know how previous council members were able to make do with such a piddly amount. I have shoes in my closet worth more than $15k."

The call for more "flexibility" was met with resounding (and not-so-surprising) support from council colleagues. Mayor Christina Fugazi, who currently wields a $60,000 fund, mused on the possibilities of an even bigger slush fund.

"I get what the Vice Mayor is saying. Now is not the time for fiscal prudence, the council needs more petty cash in their coffers," Fugazi said, recognizing the superior efficiency of decentralized slush over a single, consolidated slush pile. "How else do you expect us to pay for the annual 'Journalist of the Year' award gala we have to throw for Motec!"

Councilmember Mario Enríquez enthusiastically concurred. "We're trying to do important work here—I brought in Robin DiAngelo for a crucial anti-racism training, and her speaker's fee alone exhausted my entire budget for the year!" Enríquez argued, highlighting the sheer injustice of it all.

Reached for comment between perfecting his putting stroke on a newly installed office green, Interim City Manager and Fiscal Mismanagement Virtuoso Steve Colangelo was aghast at the proposed funds transfer. "They're treating this like it's taxpayer money! That $150,000 is the city's influencer marketing budget," Colangelo protested, nearly dropping his putter. "How do you expect us to attract top-tier talent or get retweeted by state-level officials without a budget for premium swag bags and strategic gift baskets? I had a whole outreach campaign planned involving customized, city-branded tactical sporks. You can't put a price on that kind of engagement!

While Councilmember Michele Padilla stated on the record she was merely “open to exploring the use of our discretionary funds,” sources tell a more enthusiastic story. Insiders report that Padilla, who was famously censured in 2024 for this exact type of spending, is ecstatic about the budget increase and is already location-scouting for a large "community barbecue" featuring political candidates to be held just before the next election.

"Michelle sees this as a second chance to prove how creatively she can interpret 'a substantial benefit to the city'," whispered a City Hall observer. "Her past experience with the rules just means she's now an expert in 'innovative compliance'."

Councilmember Mariela Ponce was nearly available for comment, but then she caught a glimpse of a particularly shiny quarter rolling down the street and simply had to give chase.

The final proposal, set for a vote on June 24, would carve up the City Manager's slush fund, giving each councilmember an additional $20,000 (for a total of $35,000 each) and the Mayor an extra $30,000 (totaling $90,000). The plan ensures that while the City Manager's fund is eliminated, the sacred spirit of reckless spending will live on, multiplied and thoroughly decentralized.

'Not Enough Petty Cash,' Laments Council, Proposing Seizure of City Manager's $150K Fund