another bond? this is a joke right? late April fools or something? haha very funny. you almost had me. hahaha that was a good one.

Also do the pension obligations that are so great include the police pensions? just asking cause they want a huge raise and that will only increase pension contributions by the city exacerbating the issue . Maybe we should contract to Alameda Sheriff for our PD like Chief Garrett and the Dublin PD do. That would ease some of the pension impact because it would be paid by the County vs the city.

This entire issue has been grossly mishandled by the majority of the city council members. Beginning with their decision to throw millions of dollars into a skate park and that old house.

The city manager's position requires him to support that majority council decision, regardless how wrong it is, how priorities are not a subject for discussion.

City manager Gerry Beaudin in supporting the city council majority is insincere deceitful. His sanctimonious spin presentation of Pleasanton's finances and the necessity to borrow money is feeding the council majority mistakes.

Any poll results will not change the city council majority decisions, as we have seen that play out with the police contract. If council majority was reversed, Beaudin would have a different spin.

If voters reject Arkin and Brown in the next election, or Brown sees the writing, and does not run again, Gerry Beaudin will not return as city manager. Council will return to priorities and fiscal responsibility.

If you listen to the City Council meeting you will learn the consultant talked about more options than just a bond measure. Such things as a sales tax or an additional property tax were also mentioned as possibilities. The decision at that meeting was to move forward on a poll to see what we as citizens will support so be sure to fill out the survey when it is made available.

That same consultant also mentioned, sales tax and property tax are not received well by voters, which may require 65% voter approval.

"If you listen to the City Council meeting you will learn the consultant talked about more options than just a bond measure. Such things as a sales tax or an additional property tax were also mentioned as possibilities."


Another sales tax increase? We're already paying 10.25%. The irritating and predictable "it's just a little bit more", "it's temporary", etc. claims need to stop.

Time to shop in Dublin and/or Livermore if the rate goes up here.

This Council handed $25 million of our money to Costco for the privilege of them coming to town and now wants more money from us because they can’t manage the city budget. Before you say anything about revenue, the city’s own analysis says this “investment” won’t break even for 20 years. The city won awards in the ‘90s for a long-term fiscal plan that accounted for ongoing operations and maintenance of city investments far into the future. It was the first of its kind in the state. This planning continued through the 2000s, even weathering the Great Recession of 2008-2009. COVID made an impact, but I doubt it was worse than 2008-2009. At that time the city froze all employee wages, canceled all capital improvement projects, and implemented many other austerity measures until the economy recovered. In the face of this fiscal crisis, this Council gave themselves a raise, the City Manager got a raise, and they want to build a skatepark and restore a historical house, and who knows what else is on their capital project pork barrel list. I agree that the pension funding and remedying PFAS in the water will require some creative thinking to resolve and additional funding, but I don’t think this bunch is up to the task. Their solution is for us to bail out their mismanagement.

The real issue here is that the myth that endless growth is the solution to all our problems is a lie. Cities in California rely on sales tax revenue and property tax to fund their existing and future costs and that’s why they compete for big box stores, car dealerships, and approve high-end housing. Growth does not pay for itself and endless growth is not possible on a finite planet. What’s needed is a truly sustainable budget based on de-growth principles. Thomas Edison said that solutions to big problems cannot come from people or the thinking that created them. A new paradigm is needed. Here's a place to start Web Link

If SimpleArkin and Mayor Brown are members of the City Council, I vigorously oppose a bond. I would not trust them with ANY additional money as they have no idea how to be effective stewards of our community. Vote them out in 2024!

If they City Council had 5 members like Jack Balch - I would seriously consider it. Residents would know that the money was in competent, thoughtful and intelligent hands.

Priority Number One: Make sure Pleasanton keeps their police force alive and strong

MichaelB
Yes, paying 10.25% sales tax is annoying.
It’s the same % in Livermore and Dublin.
It can’t be increased without a vote.
We in Alameda County have voted for sales tax increases in the past.
Pleasanton has never had a bond or sales tax measure. This would be the first.

This is not a good time to float Municiple bond.

During times of inflation, secondary effects can put Municiple bands at risk. For example, inflation in the healthcare industry can put people out of work because the costs to employ them are too high.

When fewer people are working, fewer are paying income tax and sales tax, which will directly affect the Municipalities tax revenue. As a result, the ability to repay the bond will be diminished.

CalPERS minus revenue, comes to mind. Reuters: - US economy near stalling point as consumer demand weekends new recent report says - 08/23/2023.

What would happen if the city took all the money it is spending on surveys and consultants and applied it instead to things like, say, replenishing the water enterprise reserve fund? Would we still need a 300% water rate increase by 2026?

Asking for a friend.