The City of San Carlos

Slide 1: 

Keeping the “GOOD” in The City of Good Living The Case for Measure U

Where We Are : 

Where We Are $2.7 million annual budget deficit Continuing revenue constraints Declining property tax, sales tax, and hotel room tax revenue More “takeaways” by the state Essential city services at risk Police Fire Park Maintenance and Recreation Programs City Public Works and Infrastructure Maintenance Activities for Seniors

How We Got Here : 

How We Got Here Declining Revenue State “takeaways” of tax and redevelopment funds Reduction in property tax share (increased state share) Current economic crisis Increased Expenses Implementation of new city facilities and programs Rising employee benefit and retirement costs Compliance with new state and federal mandates

General Fund Revenue Sources : 

General Fund Revenue Sources Investments 4% Property Tax 35% Sales tax 22% Other 14% Fees for Services 12% Vehicle-In-Lieu 8% Other taxes 5%

General Fund Expenses : 

General Fund Expenses Public Safety 54% Public Works 3% Community Development 7% City Administration 20% Parks & Recreation 16%

Declining Revenues : 

Declining Revenues HOTEL TAX REVENUE SALES TAX REVENUE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1,000,000 $1,200,000 $1,400,000 $0 $0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 $12,000,000 2000-01 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Estimate Estimate Actual Projected

What We’ve Done : 

Trimmed Departments Administrative Services - 30.5% reduction Public Works - 19% reduction Parks and Recreation - 18.5% reduction Police - 7% reduction Eliminated 14 Full Time Staff Positions From 125 (2001) to 111 today Reduced Salaries and Benefits (to 5%-10% below average) Mandated one week annual furlough Cancelled bonuses Cut benefits (retirement, retiree medical, active employee medical) What We’ve Done

Police Department : 

Police Department Budget Reductions Released 6 sworn officers and 1 admin Eliminated programs and services Traffic Enforcement Unit Driving Under Influence (DUI) checkpoints DARE Program, police liaison for schools Police Records Service to public on Fridays Police Activities League (PAL) Outsourced communications function to reduce costs Operational Impacts More overtime Slower emergency response times (fewer officers)

Fire Department : 

Fire Department Budget Reductions Eliminated fifth company (9 fire fighters) Didn’t fill Deputy Fire Chief/Operations job Cancelled funding for Chief & Emergency Medical Chief

Parks and Recreation : 

Parks and Recreation Budget Reductions Reduced park maintenance Returned Heather School field maintenance to school district Returned Arguello Park tennis courts to school district Cancelled recreation programs Closed Kiwanis building Eliminated Caring Cupboard senior food program Reduced adult sport programs Cut back on landscaping

Public Works : 

Public Works Budget Reductions Reduced operating budget by 19% over past 3 years Reduced maintenance of Laurel St. and parking lots Delayed repair of levee, sidewalks, storm drains Delayed road maintenance and repair

Where We Are : 

Where We Are Comparable City Staff Levels 50 100 150 200 250 Menlo Park Burlingame Foster City Los Gatos Los Altos Belmont San Carlos City Staff 244 215 176 156 135 130 111 0

Where We Are : 

Where We Are 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Redwood City Belmont Hillsborough San Mateo Burlingame SSF Brisbane Millbrae San Bruno San Carlos Property Tax Rate Comparable Property Tax Share 30%

Where We Are : 

Where We Are Full Time Employee Levels 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 (125) (125) (124) (125) (124) (122) (116) (114) (111) FTEs

We’re Not Alone! : 

We’re Not Alone! Similar Measures on the Ballot This Year Sales Tax San Mateo Pacifica Hotel Tax Brisbane Burlingame Millbrae San Bruno San Mateo Fire Assessment Millbrae Storm Drain Assessment Burlingame

Without Measure U : 

Without Measure U AT RISK… Weekend park and park bathroom maintenance Reinstated Police Sergeant (remains vacant) Special Needs Program Healthy Cities tutoring program Youth Center and Adult Center evening and weekend hours Structural inspection of bridges, retaining walls, culverts Summer Concerts Monday lunch program for Seniors Cedar Park, San Carlos Avenue Park and Vista Park Sports fields availability Support for Arts & Wine Festival, Hometown Days, and Hot Harvest Nights …and the list goes on…

What’s At Stake : 

What’s At Stake Your Safety Constrained Police and Fire protection and slower response time Your Property Value Unkempt parks, delayed maintenance and aging infrastructure Your Youth and Adult Centers Reduced hours and fewer programs Your Quality of Life!

Slide 18: 

www.protectourservices.com