Major budget cuts ordered across all Sacramento city departments will continue with more payroll trims over the next two years as the city works to reduce its budget deficit, according to a draft of Sacramento's budget presented Thursday.

Under the $964 million plan sent to Sacramento city council members Thursday, payroll cuts are at the heart of the city's plan to fill its $58 million deficit. In addition to employee cuts, another $20 million in "rainy day" funds are only expected to push the deficit to between $30 and $40 million by the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

At a candidates forum in Oak Park Thursday night, mayoral candidate Leonard Padilla critized Sacramento mayor Heather Fargo for giving a raise to firefighters in the middle of a budget crisis. "I told the firemen when I went before them, 'No, you don't get a raise. There ain't no money. I know how important you are to the city. But there's no money,'" he said.

Mayor Fargo did not comment on the raise for firefighters but did say the cuts should not take any police officers off the streets. "I don't want to cut any police officers that are actually doing patrol, POPs, all those kinds of things on the street."

Mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson did not attend the forum, leaving some to question why. "I think that he's talking in a lot of vague generalities. I don't think that he has enough of a handle to give us specific details," said Oak Park resident Beth Kivel. Others defended Johnson, saying he could take on the city's budget woes. "I'm hoping the Maloofs will kind of come around under his guidance and I think he might have that star power to really do some big things out here," said Oak Park resident Tim Boyd.

In anticipation of bad news ahead, city leaders instructed all departments back in January to plan for 20 percent cuts to their budgets. While a 20 percent cut is included in Thursday's budget proposal, the plan even impacts the city's most essential services, cutting city police and fire budgets by 8 percent.

City council hearings on the budget proposal were expected to begin next Thursday.

Folsom business owners are eagerly awaiting the completion of a new bridge in hopes it will bring customers back to downtown.

Folsom Dam Road, which passes over Folsom Dam, has been closed since 2003 because of security concerns.

The old road was used by about 20,000 drivers each day. Those drivers must now use other routes.

To make up for the closure, a new bridge is being built over the American River just downstream from the dam. The new span will connect Folsom Auburn Road north of the river to downtown, which sits south of the river.

The project is expected to be done in about a year.

"It will be here before we know it," said Rick Lorenz, Folsom public works director.

So far, two huge columns are taking shape. These will eventually support a roadway about 250 feet above the river.

The project will help businesses in the old part of Folsom, said Paula Watson, owner of Planet Earth Rising. Several shops failed after the road over the dam was closed.

"I think it will have a positive effect," said Watson, whose shop sells crystals, jewelry and clothing.

A crash caused a severe traffic backup on northbound Highway 99 in Elk Grove on Wednesday morning, leading officials to urge Sacramento-bound commuters to take Interstate 5 instead.

The wreck took place at about 7 a.m. on the highway at the Grant Line Road overpass.

The road was cleared shortly before 8 a.m., the CHP said.

There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.

Steven Enoch, the superintendent of Carmichael-based San Juan Unified School District, is planning to accept a job with San Ramon Valley Unified District in the East Bay.

Enoch has served just under three years with the San Juan district. His $195,000-a-year contract expires in July.

Enoch has expressed concern to school board members that he was not getting paid enough.

is resignation from San Juan is expected to be official by week's end.

The San Juan district serves 47,000 students in the northeastern portion of Sacramento County.

Roseville's water supply has been reduced by 25 percent for 2008, prompting the city to issue a Stage 1 drought alert.

The south Placer County city receives 75 percent (32,000 acre feet) of its water from Folsom Reservoir. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages Folsom Reservoir, says lower-than-expected Sierra snowmelt, an already low reservoir water level and competing needs necessitates reducing Roseville's water allocation.

Roseville also receives 10,000 acre feet of water from the Placer County Water Agency and 400 acre feet in groundwater. But with water demand expected to be 35,600 acre feet this year, with all water resources combined, there will be less water available than needed.

Residents and business are asked to reduce water consumption by 10 percent. The city is increasing water waste patrols; banning washing driveways, sidewalks, buildings, parking lots and streets unless public health requires it; and asking restaurants to not serve water, unless customers request it.

Letters will be mailed to all Roseville households and businesses in May to inform of the drought stage requirements.

There is no word if other municipalities which rely on Folsom Reservoir water will be similarly affected.