Tickets sales are down for the California Musical Theatre. Executive Producer Richard Lewis says the organization is projected to have a cash flow shortfall during the next three years.

"We're not asking for an actual loan, we just need access to a line of credit."

Something he says they haven't been able to get from a bank since CMT doesn't own anything.

Barbara Bonebrake heads the city's Convention, Culture and Leisure Department. She blames part of CMT's problems on the recession as fewer people buy tickets. And she cites another reason:

"Not making as many structural changes as they should have as quickly as they should have."

City Council members Tuesday night will vote on a resolution authorizing a $300,000 line of credit to the theatre company for the next three years.

"This is a separate set of funds that is not available to the General Fund."

In other words, Bonebrake says it's not taking away money that could be used for police services or parks.

She says keeping CMT afloat makes good business sense for the city because the theatre company attracts people to downtown Sacramento where they spend money on parking and restaurants.