Focusing on safety net services and community outreach to respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, San Mateo County Administrator Mike Callagy presented a proposed 2021-2023 budget plan capped at $6.3 billion.
"This budget reflects funding and expenses incurred for the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and recovery programs to help our residents, small businesses and community organizations cope with the continued uncertainty," Callagy said.
Thus, he stressed, "the bottom line is that we will emerge as a stronger and more resilient community for the future."
The spending plan proposal is the first step in a multi-week process. It is now up to the Board of Supervisors to consider it in a series of public hearings beginning June 21.
The budget recommends adding 26 positions, mainly in health services in the first year of the plan, for a total of 5,642 new positions.
Callagy noted that, overall, San Mateo County is emerging from the pandemic "in a stable condition" because the impact on the local economy and finances was not as great as anticipated a year ago.
And, he said, the county's unemployment rate rose 11.4 percent in April 2020 as pandemic shutdowns closed sections of the economy, while the rate fell to 4.8 percent in April 2021, the second lowest in the state behind Marin.
While job losses are down, the overall impact on the economy is an open question: the restaurant and retail industries are just beginning to come back, while passenger traffic at San Francisco International Airport, a major economic engine for the county through tourism and commerce, is increasing, so pre-pandemic levels are not expected to return for several years.
"While we have many reasons to be optimistic as we emerge from the pandemic, this budget also reflects the need for restraint and caution, even as we make investments to build a stronger foundation for recovery," Callagy said.
San Mateo Budget Plan Proposals
The budget includes among its priorities accelerating efforts to end homelessness by providing funds to operate three hotels purchased during the pandemic, two to provide intensive services for homeless people and one for long-term housing for vulnerable seniors.
Funds are also proposed for remodeling and upgrading facilities at the Safe Harbor and Maple Street shelters.
Also, increase early learning reading scores and improve school attendance with $16.2 million over two years in Measure K funds to continue the successes of The Big Lift, a partnership with schools, libraries, and community partners.
In addition, helping the county's most vulnerable residents by providing funding to replace the old Cordilleras Mental Health Center with a new campus that will provide state-of-the-art care for adults with serious mental illness.
Another priority will be improving the quality of life for residents with improvements to Coyote Point, Memorial and Flood parks, and continuing to convert the 56-acre Tunitas Creek beach property into the county's newest park.
Similarly, pursue social equity in internal services and practices by hiring a new equity director in the County Manager's Office to coordinate San Mateo's efforts to develop and implement policies and programs to promote equity.
"The pandemic has brought to light the deep inequities in our county and we must put a laser focus on expanding services in those communities most affected not only by COVID but by so many other disparities," Callagy said.
The 2021-22 Recommended Budget reflects a decrease of approximately $329 million from the prior year, primarily due to the end of one-time pandemic-related funding sources, such as Coronavirus Assistance, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds.
The proposed spending plan is available by clicking on the following link here.
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