Mayor Sam Liccardo has released his March Budget Message, charting a prudent path that keeps the City on track to restoring services and protecting our long-term fiscal sustainability.
"With this Budget Message, we focus on our residents' highest priorities: improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, confronting homelessness, and restoring essential City services," said Mayor Liccardo. "With a looming deficit and a fragile financial future, however, we must consider new investments cautiously, with a predisposition to the long view."
Mayor Liccardo calls for responsible spending, with a focus on investing in San Jose's success. Among his proposed one-time investments:
- Homelessness: An additional $3 million in one-time funding for homeless initiatives already prioritized by the City Council, including bridge housing, hotel/motel acquisition, and safe parking.
- #BeautifySJ: A continuation of funding for the successful beautification initiatives launched last year that has enlisted more than 13,000 volunteers, doubled the amount of trash and litter collected, and enhanced the City's response to illegal dumping and free junk pickup requests. The Budget Message recommends renewing previous funding for: #BeautifySJ grants for local neighborhood groups; City-funded neighborhood clean-ups; and additional staffing for the City's anti-litter program.
- Domestic Violence: $150,000 to implement a pilot program that will offer emergency housing and/or assistance to victims of domestic and family violence (potentially serving an additional 100 families in need), while the City Administration explores more permanent strategies for increasing housing options for domestic and family violence victims.
In the message, Mayor Liccardo also calls for setting aside more than $15 million in reserves to protect against potential deficits in the future.
Read the full budget message.
