Editor,
Recently, the San Mateo Council floated the idea of new, regressive sales taxes. The city is projecting a $14 million deficit this year and deficits of over $5 million thereafter. In addition, the city has an over $300 million capital backlog. While the justification for new revenue is clear, voters need to know that new taxes will be spent wisely.Â
Sadly, the city’s management of the Humboldt bike lane project doesn’t inspire fiscal confidence. The price of the original bike lanes was $1.9M. Recently, however, the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (including Measure S sales taxes) on consultants, studies and meetings to consider ripping out the bike lanes. On Monday, the council will vote on a proposal that could cost $1.5M+. In addition, staff said that removal of the bike lanes could make it more difficult for the city to attract external funding; these grants can be large — SMCTA just approved $19.5M for San Mateo as part of its highway program. Finally, the city has yet to estimate the cost of potential litigation. Sustainability and Infrastructure Commissioner Kimi Narita questioned the cost of a lawsuit if a resident on a bike is killed. Another California city faced a CEQA lawsuit upon removing bike lanes. Â
On Monday, we will see what the Council decides: Option 1 — San Mateo residents pay $$$ for taxpayer-paid street parking in front of 55 homes on Humboldt; or Option 2 — keep our streets safe and spend the $$$ on projects throughout the city, that benefit all residents.
Mike Swire
San Mateo
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