Having recently served for six years (2017-23) on the Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee (“BAFPC”), I would like your readers to know that the BAFPC conducts annual reviews of the City’s long-term financial projections and the financial condition of the City. The BAFPC believes renewal of the Municipal Service Special Tax
(“City Service Tax”) is necessary to help maintain critical city services and provide additional funds for public safety.
The City Service Tax provides local funds for current operating costs to provide the quality services our community expects. These services are more essential than ever to address the increasing crime in the Bay Area, and it is unrealistic to assume the City’s existing resources are adequate to meet these challenges. The proposed increase in
the City Service Tax is necessary to help keep our community safe.
The BAFPC and the City Council are well aware of our community’s long-term capital needs. The City has a very detailed plan to cover long-term facilities maintenance costs. It also has identified significant capital projects that will require funding in the coming years. However, the issue of long-term infrastructure needs is separate from the City’s reliance on stable, predictable revenue (as provided by the City Service Tax) to adequately fund annual operating costs.
Piedmont voters have approved the City Service Tax for the past 40 years. The predictable revenue from this tax has become an essential part of the City’s budget and I support Measure F to renew the current tax.
Please join me in voting YES on Measure F.