BUDGET UPDATES
2011-2012 Budget Calendar
City of San José Budget Update – Deficit Reaches $105 Million
I would like to take this opportunity to keep you up-to-date on the City of San José’s fiscal situation and encourage you and your neighbors to stay informed and participate in the budget process.
The City of San José continues to face significant fiscal challenges. After nine straight years of budget reductions, there are no easy solutions left. Our current estimated general fund shortfall was initially estimated at $70 million and has since grown to approximately $105 million at this time. The City Council will face many challenges and tough choices in the coming months as we look to balance the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2011.
With a deficit as large as the one we currently face, the range of budget reduction and elimination proposals will unfortunately be broader than those we’ve seen in the past. Every department is looking at significant cost reductions that will likely have a noticeable impact. The decisions my colleagues on the City Council and I will face in June will require a different balancing act between significantly reducing costs while sustaining the best mix of critical City services, such as police, fire, street maintenance, parks, and library services.
The City Manager will be releasing her proposed operating budget on May 2, 2011, which will include community feedback received from the series of community budget meetings taking place throughout the city. The City of San José continues to provide several opportunities to solicit community input in the budget process.
There will be two community budget meetings taking place in District 4. I invite District 4 residents to attend one of the upcoming community budget meetings so that you will be accurately informed on the complex fiscal issues facing the City. The majority of the meeting will be open for residents to ask questions and provide feedback. The first meeting will take place in Alviso on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Alviso Branch Library. The second meeting will take place in Berryessa on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Berryessa Branch Library.
In the coming months, there will be a series of public meetings and study sessions where the City Council will discuss the upcoming year's budget. I encourage all residents to participate in these public meetings to ask questions and express their thoughts and priorities for the budget. I encourage you to visit the District 4 website frequently for the latest news and updates.
Please see the budget calendar below to find out about upcoming ket budget dates.
As always, I ask you for your assistance to help me and the City Council understand your priorities by sharing with us your thoughts on how we should create a balanced budget that addresses the fundamental issues of our City, while remaining fiscally responsible. If you would like to share ideas about ways the city can save money or generate revenue, please email me at district4@sanjoseca.gov.
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