City Financial Outlook and Funding Needs
Current Status: City Council Votes to Place Sales Tax Measure on November 2024 Ballot
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At the City Council Meeting on July 23, the San Ramon City Council voted unanimously to place a one cent per dollar (1%) transactions and use tax ("sales tax") measure on the November 2024 ballot.
The City of San Ramon is committed to providing the essential services and facilities that help maintain a high quality of life.
Every day, our employees work hard to support safe neighborhoods, quality streets and roads, attractive parks, abundant recreation venues and programs, vibrant arts and cultural opportunities, and more.
Our goal is to provide the services that our community values, while also being fiscally responsible.
In San Ramon, rising costs continue to outpace year-over-year revenue projections. On June 25, 2024, the City Council adopted the 2024/25 Budget, which required navigating a $17.6 million shortfall in revenue.
Click here to learn more about the 2024/25 budget process, which includes $8.1 million in cuts across City departments.
In line with the City’s commitment to maintaining financial stability, budgets must meet the City’s policy of maintaining a General Fund contingency reserve of 36%. Unmet staffing and operational needs, and many Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) continue to remain unfunded. The City is exploring ways to include critical staffing and infrastructure funding into future balanced budgets to preserve the City’s quality of life. The City continues to evaluate both federal and state grant opportunities for roads, parks, and public safety.
In February 2024, the City mailed an informational brochure with a survey card to all San Ramon households.
The survey was also available online, and residents were invited, via email, text and online videos like the one below, to share their funding priorities.
Survey Responses:
In June 2024, the City mailed a follow-up brochure with a summary of the community survey responses, and information about a potential sales tax measure, to all San Ramon households.
> View Survey Results
Virtual Town Hall:
On Friday, May 17, City Manager Steven Spedowfski shared a short presentation on San Ramon's Financial Outlook and Funding Needs, and answered questions from residents.
Click here to watch the recording on YouTube.
Click here to view the June 2024 presentation slides
In-Person Community Events:
The City has shared information and gathered feedback from the community at a number of public events, including:
- Planning Commission Meeting - 2/20/24
- Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting - 3/13/24
- Historic Foundation Meeting - 2/26/24
- Library Foundation Meeting - 3/4/24
- Arts Foundation Meeting with Senior Foundation members in attendance - 3/18/24
- Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting - 1/8/24
- Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - 2/5/24
- San Ramon Teen Council Meeting - 3/19/24
- Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting - 3/21
- Library Advisory Committee Meeting - 4/4/24
- Lunchtime presentation at Senior Center - 4/16/24
- Arts Advisory Committee Meeting - 4/17/24
- Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee Meeting - 4/19/24
- Community Town Hall at San Ramon Community Center - 4/25/24
- Staff Table at Art & Wind Festival - 4/26/24 & 4/27/24
- Community Town Hall at Dougherty Station Community Arts Center - 5/30/24
- Climate Action Task Force Meeting - 6/27/24
- Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Roundtable - 6/28/24
- At the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, the City Council received a presentation on a community poll recently conducted, and provided direction to staff on drafting a sales tax measure for the November 2024 ballot.
Click here to watch a recording of the meeting on YouTube (item begins at 55:33)
Next Steps: Sales Tax Measure on November 2024 Ballot
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Frequently Asked Questions
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