City Budget

By Stephanie Schaaf

The city has done an excellent job in the past

several years of ensuring a balanced budget
while minimizing the impacts on residents
and businesses. We must continue to make
smart budget decisions going forward.

Economic development is the biggest key to increasing revenues, and I will continue to make that a priority for the city. When it comes to fees and other regulations that effect businesses, I think it's critical that Mountain View not place a heavier burden on businesses than our immediate neighbors; we must avoid creating disincentives that make businesses reluctant to stay in or move to our city.

Cities are still facing revenues that are significantly lower than in past years, and projections do not show significant growth in the next 5-7 years. In addition to economic development strategies, the city should also look at ways to reduce ongoing operating costs by making investments today that will pay for themselves and eventually save the city money.

I would like to see Mountain View invest in sustainable environmental policies that will also have a positive financial effect. Investing in recycled water infrastructure will allow the city to take an increasing portion of its water usage from reclaimed water, thereby saving on utility costs. Energy retrofits, such as the proposed HVAC system energy efficiency project for the library, can have a similar effect on energy costs. The initial investment in capital projects like these will quickly be recovered through lower utility bills. The city should consider making green building techniques a standard for new public facilities, to keep operating costs low and save money. Such policies would also stimulate development of new technolonies and business opportunities in the area.

The city has cut costs by reducing its headcount by ~10% over the past 3 years. I am interested in looking at the city budget from a sustainability perspective: evaluating each capital project with an eye towards the ongoing operating costs, and considering the long term impact of each decision, not just 1-2 years out.