Pleasanton City Council Hosting Meeting On $8M In Proposed Cuts

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton City Council will review $8.4 million in potential budget cuts to make up for a projected $10.4 million deficit during a special meeting April 8. The wide-ranging cuts include an 18% reduction to the Library and Recreation Department, 19% reduction to Community Support and Human Services, and the possible elimination of programs like the Hometown Holiday Parade and Movies in the Park.The city aims to cut a further $1.6 million the following year, after accounting for $2 million in anticipated interest from the Section 115 Pension Trust Fund.

The city faces a projected $10.4 million deficit in the 2025-26 fiscal year and $12 million for the 2026-27 year, according to a city staff report. The deficit is due to a number of factors, including operating costs rising faster than revenue due to population growth, increased service demand, rising expenses, the phasing out of federal stimulus funds, declining hotel tax revenue, and more, according to an earlier city staff report. The city is also impacted by aging infrastructure, and funds to replace irrigation, lighting, vehicles, equipment, and more are limited, according to a city staff report.

The city attempted to pass Measure PP, a half-cent sales tax projected to generate $10 million annually, but voters rejected it in November.

After an extensive process including a public Budget Town Hall, an online budget tool soliciting community feedback, and a Budget Advisory Committee, the city is proposing several difficult cuts, including:

• An 18% cut to the Library and Recreation Department, which could include closing the library two days a week, consolidating service desks, and converting all adult sports leagues to self-run programs.
• A 19% cut to Community Support and Human Services, which would eliminate all city funding for 22 crossing guard locations and phase out grants for housing and human services, youth arts, and nonprofits like Axis Community Health and Museum on Main.
• Elimination of non-revenue-generating events like the Hometown Holiday Parade and Movies in the Park.
• A 6% cut to Parks and Facilities, which could result in less frequent mowing and irrigation, reduced janitorial services in public restrooms, suspension of the fall leaf pickup program, and possible trail closures.
• 1% reduction to public safety, which would include eliminating two vacant School Resource Officer positions and a currently unstaffed special enforcement and investigation unit.

The city initially proposed closing the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center and a local fire station, but abandoned these proposals due to strong community opposition, according to the staff report.

City staff will present a revised two-year-budget on May 20, and the final adoption is expected June 17.

See here for Tuesday’s full agenda.

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