The City is facing a severe and increasing structural budget shortfall of $13 million annually over the next eight years. In response, staff have been working to proactively address the projected budget deficit with a combination of reduced costs and increased revenue.
Among cost containment efforts, the City has delayed the purchase of equipment and vehicles, frozen some positions, reduced costs associated with contract services, and consolidated the Engineering and Operations Services Departments into the new Public Works Department. Additionally, the City Council approved a reduction of $2.5 million from the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
To increase revenue, the City is conducting a comprehensive fee study to ensure it recovers the cost of programs and new development. The City is also exploring the addition of a ½ cent sales tax measure to the November ballot, that, if passed, would add approximately $10 million to the City’s General Fund each year.
At the June 4 City Council meeting, City staff shared results from a community survey and outreach efforts to determine the feasibility of a potential ½ cent sales tax ballot measure. In February 2024, the City opened a community survey asking residents to offer feedback on how they would rank City priorities and an opportunity to add additional priorities, comments, and feedback. The City has received over 3,100 survey responses via mail and online.
Community presentations and engagement efforts have also been underway since February. City staff have been meeting with local organizations and groups to bring awareness of the City’s financial position, gather questions, and solicit feedback. As of late May, staff have met with several dozen community groups, connecting with several hundred residents and non-profit and business representatives.
In addition, the City has distributed multiple e-newsletters that provided information on the City’s fiscal challenges and the exploration of a revenue measure in addition to two direct mailers sent to Pleasanton residents – the community survey and a special issue of the Pleasanton Progress newsletter.
Among the top City priorities from survey responses and community engagement feedback are protecting 9-1-1 emergency services, maintaining public safety services, and repairing and maintaining local roads. In addition to ranking the City’s top needs and priorities, the City received feedback from the community including interest in steps the City has already taken to reduce costs and spend efficiently, concern about additional taxes and cost of living, interest in investing in downtown and Pleasanton’s economy as a whole, and interest in diversifying revenue streams.
The next opportunity for public engagement is the June 18 City Council meeting where staff will present the results from the statistically valid public poll to assess the viability of a ½ cent sales tax and the draft language for a potential sales tax ballot measure. Additional information about the City’s budget shortfall and the potential ½ cent sales tax ballot measure can be found on the Protecting Pleasanton’s Quality of Life webpage.