Foster City Announces Community Town Hall for July 9

For immediate release: June 21, 2024

Contact: fiscalsustainability@fostercity.org, (650) 286-3227

The City of Foster City invites you to a Community Town Hall meeting on July 9. The hybrid session will begin at 6:30 p.m. and community members can participate by attending in-person in the Council Chambers at 620 Foster City Blvd. or virtually at https://fostercity-org.zoom.us/j/82046140069?pwd=bmjGZ0wsoi6mFIJjTbdS42atOObalF.1. The meeting will also be live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel as well as on Comcast channel 27 and AT&T channel 99 in Foster City.

This event follows earlier Town Hall meetings held in May as part of the City’s outreach efforts regarding City services, budget challenges and a potential update to the City’s Business License Tax.

The City of Foster City maintains a range of local services, including:

  • Maintaining 911 emergency medical, police/crime prevention and fire response services.
  • Maintaining infrastructure to prevent flooding and other hazards.
  • Keeping existing parks and recreation facilities safe, clean, and well-maintained.
  • Continuing to maintain local streets, pathways, bike lanes and public sidewalks.
  • Maintaining the City's long term fiscal sustainability.

Currently, the City is confronted with several challenges, including escalating costs for many of these and other services and infrastructure. As a result, the City is confronted with a budget deficit currently estimated at $3.93 million for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The structural budget deficit is anticipated to get larger each year in the Five-Year Financial Plan forecast putting the City’s General Fund Reserves at risk.

“The City would like to hear your thoughts on the budget challenges we are faced with and the potential to update our Business License Tax,” said City Manager Stefan Chatwin. “These community events provide an opportunity to learn about the challenges the City faces to maintaining essential services such as public safety and maintenance of our local streets, and feedback about the potential increase to the Business License Tax will be critical to guiding future decisions.”

At the May 20 City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to continue exploring potential increases to the City’s Business License Tax, which would provide some additional revenue to support local services and infrastructure funded by the General Fund. As part of this process, the City is seeking input from residents and other stakeholders to inform its decision-making processes. More information and a community survey can be found at https://www.fostercity.org/fiscalsustainability.

Community Priorities Survey

An online community survey is available to gather feedback on resident priorities for City services. Visit https://www.fostercity.org/fiscalsustainability. for additional details on City services, budget projections, and to access the survey.

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