By preaching fiscal responsibility, Mayor Reed has worked to preserve core city services when faced with chronic budget deficits.
Fiscal Responsibility Requires Tough Decisions in Difficult Times
With our state and nation in the worst economic condition since the Great Depression, there are no easy answers or painless solutions to balancing San José’s budget. But under Mayor Reed's leadership, the City Council has worked in partnership with residents, businesses and city workers to close budget gaps while preserving critical services such as police, fire, libraries and community centers.
In his 2009 State of the City address, Mayor Reed called on city employees to accept “true zeroes” (no wage increases, step increases, or merit increases) to help balance the budget – the city’s unions agreed, saving hundreds of jobs and vital city services.
Mayor Reed also headed the Measure J and K campaigns, which successfully updated and reduced the City’s telecommunication and 911 fees and ensured that vital services were able to continue.
Under Mayor Reed’s leadership, the City has begun to address its structural deficit by closing the 2009-2010 budget shortfall with more than 90% ongoing solutions.
Budget News and Updates
2010-2011 City of San José Community Budget Meeting Schedule
Mayor Reed and the San José City Council will be holding community meetings in each district over the next several weeks to seek input from residents about potential cuts in services and programs as well as changes in service delivery. The community budget meetings offer an opportunity for residents throughout San José to learn more about the budget and share their ideas and concerns. The meetings are open to the public, held in the evenings to make it easy for residents to participate. They will be held in March and April throughout San José.
• Council Adopts Mayor Reed’s Proposal to Reform Pension Boards. February 9, the San José City Council unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Reed and Councilmembers Constant, Kalra, Liccardo and Herrera to replace most of the city’s pension trustees with independent public representatives who possess financial expertise. Read the memo
• Redevelopment Agency Revised 2009-2010 Budget. Mayor Reed issued a memo to City Council regarding the Redevelopment Agency's FY2009-2010 Revised Capital and Operating Budget and the FY 2010-2015 Capital Improvement Program. Read the memo
• 2010 Community Budget Survey Results. View the results of the City's recent survey of 900 San José residents regarding community budget priorities. Read the report
Office of Mayor Chuck Reed
200 East Santa Clara Street San José, CA 95113
tel. (408) 535-4800 fax (408) 292-6422 mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov
The City of San Jose is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community’s expectations by providing excellent service, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public.
