Story And Poll: What's Going On With The Suisun Walmart?

Some of you have asked about Walmart in recent weeks, and, with the city budget passed, Mayor Pete Sanchez said the city is counting on Walmart being able to locate in the city all the more for the future health of its finances.

So far, Sanchez said, city employees opted to take a 10 percent cut rather than endure layoffs.

"I'm quite grateful that everyone is being cooperative and took a cut," he said.

But, Sanchez is certain that harsher austerity measures will be taken in the future if Walmart is not on the horizon.

Deborah Herron, a Walmart spokeswoman, said Walmart's Suisun City application will hopefully go before the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board on March 14.

"We're hoping to be on the agenda," she said. "And we believe we've put all the pieces together for approval."

According to regulatory policy, even if Walmart gets the go ahead on March 14 (assuming it's on the agenda), Walmart opponents could file for an appeal, extending the time frame for ultimate approval by unknown months or more.

Once ultimate approval is granted, however, Walmart said it takes between a year and 15 months to build a full service supercenter.

Herron did indicate that Walmart was unlikely to pack up and go home if it encountered more difficulties.

"We are extremely committed to our Suisun City customers," she said.