In the City of Colton Summary of Significant Budget Changes Fiscal Year 2011-12 to 2012-13 the Police Department was designated to take over the Business Licensing functions from the Development Department. Existing Code Enforcement Officers were tasked with all Business Licensing functions, eliminating the need for Development Staff for business issues. This practice is not recommended by Small Business Experts and is not exercised in surrounding cities.
The Redevelopment Department was abolished in a "less than vibrant economy" noted by City Manager Rob Foster in 2012. The removal of the Redevelopment Department was carried out to cut costs to avoid layoffs during a time when the city was in financial trouble.
A study of the South Colton Corridor was conducted by the South Colton Diversity Committee, and it revealed (not coincidentally) that Small Business has been declining in South Colton since 2012. This data has been shared with the San Bernardino County Local Agency Formation Commission Office (LAFCO) and has been confirmed by the Colton Economic Development Department operating under the budget of the current City Manager's Office.
One day permits for Special Events like Parades, Festivals and Concerts are made available through the Community Services Department who often pull businesses from outside the City of Colton to participate. Sometimes these Out-of-Town Vendors even set up in front of local tax paying establishments selling the same product.
Code Enforcement staff are currently not informed or trained in their duties regarding local businesses and potential new business inquiries. The City of Colton has not invested one dollar in Small Business Development while under Colton PD's control, setting the Department and the Community up for failure. The plan to grow business in Colton has been reduced to a tiny shout-out during City Council Meetings "Support our local businesses".
The abandonment of economic growth for South Colton is evident in the City's Budget. Defunding the Redevelopment Department and handing over Business Licensing to the Police Department has led to the lowest number of new businesses in South Colton's History!
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