The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today approved the Recommended Budget for Fiscal Years 2019-20 and 2020-21 — financial commitments that County Manager Mike Callagy said is a $3 billion investment in the future and our youth.
“We’re not only planning for today but creating a roadmap for tomorrow,” Callagy told the Board of Supervisors on Monday in opening three days of public hearings on a recommended budget that provides record funding for housing, early learning, park improvements and varied other services and infrastructure aimed at providing quality of life. The budget also reflects the Board’s ongoing priorities including homelessness, foster youth, veterans, health and parks.
Nowhere is this ongoing commitment apparent than in housing. Between FY 2012 and FY 2018, the County invested $110.4 million and funded 2,639 affordable units. The FY 2019-21 Recommended Budget commits another $50 million.
The two-year Recommended Budget, which begins July 1, 2019, is $3 billion for FY 2019-20 and $2.9 billion in FY 2020-21. The Recommended Budget for the General Fund is $2 billion in FY 2019-20 and $1.9 billion in FY 2020-21. Both budgets maintain reserves above the 10 percent required by Board policy.
The Board will adopt the final budget in September after considering any proposed revisions.
Budget highlights include:
· $15.5 million over two years for childhood literacy initiative The Big Lift;
· A historic investment of $50 million in Measure K funds over two years for affordable housing at all income levels;
· Upgrades and renovations at Memorial Park, Flood Park and Coyote Point Park while bringing the newest park, Tunitas Creek Beach Park, online;
· An increase to employee staffing, including 13 positions in the Appraiser’s Office, five positions in the Elections Office and two positions to the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) that responds to calls involving an individual undergoing a mental health crisis;
· A $94.9 million investment in employees over two years for cost of living increase, longevity pay and equity pay;
While fiscal prudence is always a key consideration for the Board, Callagy conceded no one cannot know when the next serious economic downturn may happen — a strong reason why he emphasized the importance of fortifying the County’s finances and investments now to weather any future storms. Callagy asked each department to propose a 2.5 percent reduction in their budget as an exercise in future planning even as there is no immediate plan to act on them now.
After approving the FY2019-21 Recommended Budget, the Board also received the draft Five-Year Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2019-24. The Board will hold a future study session on the CIP, a document which serves as a planning and funding roadmap of County projects
The complete Recommended Budget is available at https://cmo.smcgov.org/budget-policy-and-performance
The full Board of Supervisors’ agenda packet and meeting video is available at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx