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VIDEO. From the Half Moon Bay City Council meeting on Tuesday, June, 18th, 2024 at 7:00pm, as a hybrid meeting.
3F. Agenda Item
Last spring, the City was informed by the County of San Mateo that following an internal audit of its programs and services, contracts with the Sheriff’s Office and 911 Dispatch would be increased. For Half Moon Bay, total public safety costs (our largest expenditure) increased approximately 43% heading into the current fiscal year. This increase, along with other inflation based increased expenses and lagging tourism revenues, resulted in a multi-million-dollar annual structural deficit that is projected to continue into the foreseeable future. Staff immediately began meeting internally to develop a strategy and identify areas in the budget for cost-cutting measures to narrow the gap. Staff has identified a number of cost-saving measures which have been included in the FY 2024-25 Proposed Budget. In addition to looking for ways to reduce expenses, staff explored ways to increase revenue as well.
In November 2023, an internal team was formed to assess potential revenue enhancement measures. After research and information-gathering, staff scheduled a City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting to discuss the potential measures and seek direction. The Finance Subcommittee met on December 20, 2023, provided feedback to staff, then met again on February 6, 2024, and provided a final recommendation.
On March 5, 2024, the City Council authorized staff to proceed with polling and feasibility analyses on both a Parcel Tax Measure and a Sales Tax Measure.
Revenue Enhancement Following a feasibility analysis, an internal decision was made to move forward with only a potential sales tax increase. Sales tax has a lower threshold at a simple majority, and a ½ cent increase would yield approximately $1.8-2 million. Additionally, data shows that a high proportion (roughly 40%) of the City’s sales tax is paid by visitors. Polling was conducted for three weeks and results of that polling will be presented as part of this item. Overall, the measure polled well and there was useful feedback in terms of what the community feels are the City’s biggest challenges and priorities currently.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council whether to prepare the ordinance and associated resolution placing the measure on the ballot. This resolution would come before the Council for adoption at the July 16, 2024, meeting.
More on HMB Parcel Tax on Coastside Buzz
With Hard Costs for Law Enforcement and Pension Costs Half Moon Bay Considers $3.9M Structural Deficit Solutions: Economic Reserves, Increase Sales Tax, Invest in Tourism, Reduce Staff
City of Half Moon Bay Looks for Revenue Generation after Sheriff Costs Increase 43%; Parcel Tax Could Raise $4.5M to $6.5M and Sales Tax $1-2M
Half Moon Bay Staff and Council Begin to Consider Bonding, Sales Tax Initiative, and Parcel Tax to Fund Large CIP Projects
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Half Moon Bay City Council Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7:00pm
The Half Moon Bay City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7pm at the Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue. The meeting is also remote by Zoom, Facebook and PCTV. Regular meeting agendas are posted 72 hours in advance. Special meeting agendas are posted 24 hours in advance.
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HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
HMB City Council Meeting Videos on PCTV
The City Council of Half Moon Bay is the City’s governing body, and consists of five elected members. The Council sets priorities and policies, makes final decisions on all major City matters, adopts ordinances and resolutions, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves the annual budget.
The City of Half Moon Bay holds district-based elections for its five city council seats. Each Councilmember is elected to a 4 year term. There are no term limits in Half Moon Bay. The City Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one to serve as Vice Mayor, on an annual basis.
The Half Moon Bay City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7 pm at the Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue.
- streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
- and on Facebook Live
- one in English (City of Half Moon Bay FB Page)
- one in Spanish (City of Half Moon Bay Recreation FB Page)
Members or the public are welcome to submit comments (in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit) via email to [email protected] prior to or during the meeting, via Facebook live during the meeting, and via two phone lines during the meeting – (650) 477-4963 (English) and (650) 445-3090 (Spanish). The City Clerk will read all comments into the record.
Please visit our “Commenting at a City Council Meeting” information page. You can also learn about City Council Procedures and Decorum.
The City Council develops Strategic Elements to help focus the City’s actions and work plans on its key priorities.
City of Half Moon Bay District-based Elections Map for 2024
Map 503b Adopted 3.15.2022
From left to right 2024 Half Moon Bay Councilmembers: Robert Brownstone, Vice Mayor Harvey Rarback, Mayor Joaquin Jimenez, Deborah Penrose and Debbie Ruddock.
Author: Coastside Buzz
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