PLEASANTON — Over the following a number of months, the Pleasanton Metropolis Council will probably be laser-focused on fixing one factor: the town’s price range.
“We need to come up with a longterm solution to address our financial challenges,” Susan Hsieh, Pleasanton’s Monetary Director, instructed the council throughout Thursday night time’s price range workshop.
The council within the first few months of this 12 months will resolve the best way to assault an estimated $100 million deficit over the following eight years. The looming price range disaster comes within the wake of a half-cent tax measure’s failure within the November election, which if handed by voters would have softened the blow of the anticipated monetary hardships to come back.
With Pleasanton’s monetary future teetering on disaster, Mayor Jack Balch on Thursday wished the town to contemplate that it is probably not in such dire situation.
“We do need to rebuild trust. We do need to reconcile with the community. We do need to heal,” Balch instructed the council. “I think we’re all trying to do that tonight.”
Balch, supported by new Councilmember Matt Gaidos, steered the town rent an outdoor guide to re-evaluate the town’s monetary situation. The Metropolis Council then voted 4-1 to rent a guide and add one other two workshops to debate key choices relating to the $239 million working price range.
Gaidos quipped about how the council determined to “spend some more money to figure out how we’re not going to spend more money.”
“I want everyone in this room to remember the irony of this moment,” he stated.
Metropolis Supervisor Gerry Beaudin has ready the town for eventualities resembling an financial recession within the close to future, which may imply the town loses anyplace from $13 million to $22 million yearly. However the mayor will not be satisfied issues will get that dangerous.
It’s unclear how a lot the consultants will price, however the metropolis is required to contemplate bids from at the very least three contractors earlier than deciding a most suitable choice, in response to Metropolis Lawyer Daniel Sodergren.
The council Thursday additionally voted unanimously to convene a price range advisory committee of 11 members, which incorporates appointments from all councilmembers and two from Beaudin’s workplace. The committee will advise the council on the best way to cope with its monetary future till it comes up with an official plan this summer time.
Vice Mayor Jeff Nibert on Thursday talked about the town will probably be “in a world of hurt” if it doesn’t determine the best way to deal with the approaching menace of the $200 million in unfunded pension liabilities over the following a number of years. Beaudin stated that the town may wait to cope with that subject after it units a extra urgent two-year price range plan by June.
So far as what the town should lower, Nibert added that “I believe every department in the organization needs to have skin in the game.”
“I don’t think we know what is going to happen. I just don’t know the impact,” Avelar stated in an interview. “It’s too early. Nothing is set in stone.”
Initially Revealed: January 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM PST
