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Until you know the cost. The department, which issues permits and building information, moved to its new home in March. But the lease for its Arco Boulevard home in North Natomas doesn't expire until next March. As the city hasn't been able to break its contract or sublease the building, it's out a half-million dollars – the cost of a year's rent. "We're still in discussions, but the market isn't so terrific," said Reina Schwartz, the agency's director. In the private sector, the problem might have been a deal killer. But it didn't stop the department's move. Neither did the City Council, because department staff members didn't mention the glitch when they asked for approval. Schwartz said the move gets the city out of leased space and to a better location. But California Common Cause's Christina Lokke pointed to the city's huge budget deficits. "The city's out a half-million dollars when the whole point was to save money," Lokke asked. "The timing on this couldn't be worse." – Terri Hardy. Send tips to moneytrail@sacbee.com FIX THIS In a sign of the times, wheels will replace rackets The problem: A sign on the gate for the tennis courts at the Robertson Park Community Center in Del Paso Heights says: "CLOSED FOR REPAIRS." But when are those repairs coming? The concrete is cracked, weeds dot the surface. The response: The site's future was cleared up by Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy. It turns out a skateboard park will replace tennis courts, perhaps this year. The skate park is funded and in design. The courts – in bad shape for 30 years – would require expensive repairs, and youths prefer skate parks. "You have to go with what the community wants, not what we think they should have," Sheedy said. Got an issue with that? Call Councilwoman Sheedy, (916) 808-7002 – Bill Lindelof. Send tips to fixthis@sacbee.com THE CRIME LINE Muggers might be mobile, if robberies are indicator Can one area's violent crime problem be another area's gain? While the number of robberies skyrocketed in Natomas in June, they dropped just as precipitously in Valley Hi and Meadowview, a Bee analysis of weekly crime data finds. In May, Valley Hi and Meadowview saw 34 robberies, a fairly typical number for those neighborhoods, which have gang-related crime. But in June, there were 17 robberies in Meadowview and Valley Hi – a 50 percent drop. Meanwhile, the Natomas area saw the number of robberies increase from 13 in May to 31 in June. Overall, robberies in the city remained steady – 142 cases in May and 143 cases in June. Police and criminologists note that even if crime is displaced, it's not destroyed. – Phillip Reese. For a view of crime in your area, see sacbee.com/crimemapper Recommend this story at Yahoo! Buzz: Buzz up! Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Comments There are 26 comments posted so far. Below is a sampling of the latest comments. Add Your Comments | View All Comments Oblio at 8:22 PM PST Thursday, July 31, 2008 wrote: With a statement like you just made, if you don't work for one, you certainly SHOULD. Instead of th...more Cubed at 5:35 PM PST Thursday, July 31, 2008 wrote: Before we fire everybody consider the context these men stepped into. This City was an urban backwa...more SacObserver at 5:05 PM PST Thursday, July 31, 2008 wrote: The only person who could do a worse job than Heather Fargo, would probably be Kevin Johnson. ...more Most Popular StoriesE-mailedCommentedSearches Last 24 Hours Search for a state worker's salary -- results page Schwarzenegger's layoff plan could lengthen lines for state services Last Updated 1:53 pm PDT Friday, August 1, 2008 SEIU seeks to block Schwarzenegger order Last Updated 3:16 pm PDT Friday, August 1, 2008 Search for a state worker's salary State workers affected by executive orderLast 7 Days Search for a state worker's salary -- results page Search for a state worker's salary Artest fumes at Yao's remark Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, July 31, 2008 Schwarzenegger cuts state worker jobs, moves to cut pay Last Updated 2:47 pm PDT Thursday, July 31, 2008 Governor will address budget, pay cuts at morning news conference Last Updated 11:38 am PDT Thursday, July 31, 2008See more most popular stories »More Stories in News Key figure in CHP murder case says Yolo DA was wrong Woodland man suffocated while being restrained by police, coroner's report finds Brewing up: Peet's Coffee to add six local outlets Natomas school board to hold emergency meeting about former facilities chief Demand grows at Sacramento food banks Subscribe to RSS feed for News SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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