Fiscal Crisis — "Without New Revenue, Deep Cuts Will Be Unavoidable"

active• sanbruno

San Bruno is facing one of the most serious fiscal emergencies of any city in San Mateo County. The city's five-year financial forecast shows significant revenue losses driven by a sluggish economy, VLF replacement revenue shortfalls, and state funding cuts — and the city has implemented hiring freezes while exploring a potential revenue measure on the November 2026 ballot to help replace lost state funding and preserve essential services. City Manager Alex McIntyre put the stakes bluntly in a public announcement: "Without new revenue, deep cuts will be unavoidable." The city is simultaneously exploring economic development strategies — including a proposed change to the city's height ordinance intended to spur new development and strengthen the long-term tax base. A recreation facility fund deficit of $2.4 million was already transferred from the general fund at the April 14 City Council meeting, a sign of the pressure already being felt. Residents polled ahead of the 2026 election identified 911 response time, street pavement quality, and the quality and variety of downtown restaurants and businesses as their top service priorities — the very services most at risk from budget cuts.

Related cause: Budget priorities

Issue Timeline

No timeline events linked yet.

Linked meetings

No linked meetings yet.