County Supervisors unanimously approved a $7.7 billion biennial budget for San Mateo for the next fiscal years, spanning 2023-2025, that will prioritize ending homelessness in the area, between others.
"This budget keeps the promise of addressing some of the most important issues facing our region today," he said. Dave Pine, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
The local official noted that "taxpayer dollars are being invested in programs and services that help the homeless find permanent housing, support children and families, and continue the transformation of mental health care."
After three days of public hearings, the supervisors approved the recommended budget, however the Board will hold hearings in September on a final revised budget based on emerging needs and changing economic conditions.
Guided by the priorities established by the Board of Supervisors, the plan emphasizes investments in sustaining initiatives, not launching new programs.
Highlights of the plan include supporting operations at the County's first Navigation Center, which opened last May as a state-of-the-art, low-barrier, short-term interim housing program for medically-served adults experiencing homelessness, services, substance use counseling, and housing-focused case management to help clients move into a permanent home.
Additionally, it will allow for increased outreach and engagement services for many more unsheltered people residing in the county with the goal of connecting them to services and ultimately more permanent housing.
It will also help build the County's Affordable Housing Fund to finance development and preserve affordable housing for low-income families and individuals, seniors on a fixed income, and the homeless.
Added to that is investing in housing for low-income farmworkers, including 18 households displaced by the January mass shooting in Half Moon Bay; and expand equity training throughout the organization to improve decision-making and customer services.
It will also make county parks more accessible to children and families with low income or other barriers by providing new opportunities for hiking, camping, and other activities; and will continue to modernize Parks facilities, including replacing old playground slides and other equipment, and upgrading restrooms and picnic areas.
Mitigate the threat of wildfire to communities near county parks and identify, classify, and remove hazardous trees; as well as adding an equity manager in the Probation Department to lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, will be other priorities.
As well as implementing an electronic health record for patients and clients throughout County Health, including the many clinical sites and services of San Mateo Medical Center through Recovery and Behavioral Health Services and Correctional Health; and expanding access to housing for clients with mental illness and addiction, along with services and care navigation to support them.
In addition, it will help combat climate change and build resilience with investments to reduce stormwater runoff and greenhouse gas emissions and help communities address the challenges of excessive heat, poor air quality, and power outages. energy.
Will allow for expanded treatment options and services for San Mateo County residents with opioid or fentanyl additions; strengthen emergency management staffing to focus on earthquake preparedness; and commit funds to support the county's Housing Voucher Program to subsidize the rents of 200 homeless households in the county.
Finally, it will increase adult literacy and extension services and support the expansion of makerspaces; will allow the purchase of a new mobile library that provides essential library programs and services to residents throughout the county; in addition to implementing improvements at Tunitas Creek Beach and Flood County Park, among other county parks.
This budget recommends the net addition of 120 general fund positions, primarily in County Health, in fiscal year 2023-24 for a total of 5,768 positions for All County Funds. Two additional positions are added in fiscal year 2024-25. Approximately 40 percent of the added positions were the result of converting limited-term and additional help positions to permanent positions.
In presenting the Recommended Budget to the Board, County Executive Mike Callagy stressed the importance of taking a measured approach.
"This is the longest anticipated recession in history," said County Executive Mike Callagy, who presented the recommended budget to the Board. “That is why I propose that we take this measured approach that allows us more time to understand both the need for services and the fiscal perspective. We remain dedicated to providing the services our residents trust."
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