Challenges in an Unstable Economy

By Cindy McGovern

In these unstable economic times we need a mayor who is fiscally responsible and represents the needs of those who live and work in Pleasanton.

One strategy could be the use of excess sewer hookup fees, Dwelling Unit Equivalents (DUEs), owned by the City. These fees could be used to offset costs for small businesses, especially restaurants, whose fees can be up to $100,000. This would help significantly with their start up costs. The City would need to set this incentive plan up and determine how much of this DUE cost to cover and how and when the fee would be returned to the city for use by another small business.

Along with building reserves and economic stimulus practices, the city must continue the 5 key goals used for budget development. Those goals include: 1) Meet essential public safety needs fully, 2) Maintain core service levels by maximizing available personnel and financial resources, 3) Incorporate innovation to meet all service level needs and minimize ongoing expenses, 4) Pursue cost recovery strategies, 5) Preserve existing financial policies.

A strategy to minimize ongoing expenses would be to explore a City and School District plan to jointly seek bids on health care benefits. By joining together the agencies would increase the membership numbers and possibly adjust the age of the membership too. Both are factors health care providers look at when offering a bid for service. This could possibly reduce the cost for health care benefits for each agency and their employees. This needs to be explored.