San Mateo County Manager Michael Callagy today released a Recommended Budget for fiscal years (FY) 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. The total Recommended Budget, which begins July 1, is $3 billion in FY 2019-20 and $2.9 billion in FY 2020-21. This budget provides record funding to build and protect affordable housing, bolster early learning, improve parks and other quality-of-life services.
The proposed spending plan also invests in County employees with cost-of-living and equity increases, and longevity pay – necessary steps to retain and attract a high-quality workforce in the tight labor market and high-cost Bay Area. It also proposes to pay down pension liabilities.
In his message to the Board of Supervisors accompanying the budget, Callagy addressed the importance of local government tackling local needs. Callagy’s proposed spending plan reflects the priorities of San Mateo County’s residents and the Board of Supervisors.
Budget Highlights:
- $50 million over two years to increase the supply of housing that is affordable for families at all income levels.
- $15.5 million over two years for The Big Lift, an initiative to raise third grade reading levels.
- Adds two positions to the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) to augment the current team that responds to emergency calls involving a person undergoing a mental health crisis.
- Invests in the modernization of County facilities.
- Funds upgrades to Memorial Park, Flood Park and Coyote Point Park.
- Ushers in a new age of public safety with a state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Dispatch system for 9-1-1 Public Safety Dispatchers in the new Regional Operations Center.
- Adds a modest 18 positions over two years, to bring total staffing to 5,561, a 0.3 percent increase. These include 13 positions in the Appraiser’s Office to keep up with demand for commercial appraisals and 5 positions in the Elections Office.
Next Steps:
The Board will consider the Recommended Budget at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 18, in Board Chambers, 400 County Center, Redwood City.
The full Board of Supervisors’ agenda packet is available at: