Periods of rain. The rain will be heavy at times. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 63F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..
Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 52F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated: April 11, 2026 @ 2:56 pm
Editor,
In reading Gary Isoardi’s letter regarding the San Mateo flood tax (“The art of manipulation”), he touches on the lack of true information and transparency regarding flood damage. Laura Wood (Nov. 18) presses for yes because of the infrastructure needs.
The deeper level of ineptitude right on the surface of the ballot measure is the mention of flood and drainage systems that are 50 years past their prime. So what has the city been doing with the consistently increasing property taxes and income and building permit fees and etc. etc. etc. that residents have been giving them for the past 50 years that they didn’t put storm maintenance and drainage improvements and updates in the budget?
A homeowner would be expected to budget for necessary repairs and long-term upgrades due to wear and tear on their property, yet, somehow when the government fails to do so for decades, it becomes a cost to be put back on the people with vague language about 3% inflationary upticks to cover a cost that could never end.
The City Council should take a new look at the budget, move funds to necessary capital improvements rather than vanity/aesthetic projects for a few years, and show an ability to actually plan and save for infrastructure rather than just tax and spend retroactively. While their lack of planning might now create our emergency, we shouldn’t be on the hook to pay for it as well.
Adam Currier
San Mateo
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(3) comments
Adam, thanks for acknowledging the importance of funding the upgrading of our stormwater infrastructure while also calling for the City to redirect funds to the fundamentals. I share your desire to focus our budget on the essentials, as do many of my colleagues. We can't solve everything all at once, but we can make a start. Pls reach out to me if you have specific ideas you'd like to share. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving! Lisa
Adam, great LTE. Thanks for stepping forward with comments many of us think. And Happy Thanksgiving
Well written, Mr. Currier. Just vote no until the city can account for all the previous monies that were to be spent on flood and drainage systems. Essentially, just vote no because no accounts will be forthcoming.
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