Redwood City approves next year’s budget

“It’s going to keep costing us more and more over the years without actually preventing harm in any way,” they said.

Community survey results conducted by staff on priority areas identified by residents largely pertained to public safety, such as making sure first responders are well funded and emergency response times are maintained. Garnica-Espinoza said they felt security cameras don’t address this concern.

City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz said there have been community requests for the installation of cameras at city parks and libraries. She said the pilot program was seen more as a response to an inability to allocate funding for increased staff positions throughout the city.

“With limited numbers of staff, how can technology be used to increase and amplify work that humans can’t do,” Stevenson Diaz said on how security cameras align with city priorities.

After an initial recommended budget was proposed June 10, staff presented a slightly adjusted allocation of its $7.1 million dedicated for one-time use funds, setting aside $400,000 as a contingency, reserved for any needs that may arise in the future.

The adjustment reduces allocations for the citywide security camera program and the American with Disabilities Act transition plan implementation by $200,000 each, now dedicating $800,000 to each respectively.

The ADA transition plan would establish curb ramps throughout the city for increased accessibility. Staff said the $200,000 reduction would be about 13-20 fewer curb ramps installed.

Still, Garnica-Espinoza said the budget presented shows a commitment to addressing equity priority communities in the city, with 27% of the total budget for capital improvements affecting these areas. Garnica-Espinoza said equity priority communities make up 5% of the city.

“I think that’s the way it should be, where we see a greater investment in these communities,” they said. “Using our dollars in communities that are very vulnerable and historically have poorer infrastructure.”

Despite a $21 million surplus in this fiscal year’s general fund operating budget — which supports critical services, including law enforcement — much of that is reserved to help offset the combined $18 million deficit over the next couple fiscal years.

“It underlines our need to find a sustainable revenue increase in order to continue to provide our current services,” Stevenson Diaz said.

With concerns over future shortfalls, Mayor Jeff Gee quickly proposed setting aside $3.4 million of the discussed one-time use funds to be reserved to offset the deficit projected for fiscal year 2025-26.

However, Stevenson Diaz quickly pointed out that if the money were to be reserved, it’s not working for the community. Councilmember Kaia Eakin echoed this sentiment.

“I’d like $7 million to work for people today and tomorrow and not sit in the bank for a rainy day,” Eakin said.