RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION APPROVING BUDGET BALANCING PRINCIPLES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2010 THROUGH 2013 TO ELIMINATE THE GENERAL FUND STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

 

WHEREAS, the County faces a structural budget imbalance in its General Fund; and

 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of current and future generations and the most vulnerable members of our community to eliminate this structural imbalance in a thoughtful and strategic manner and with a long-term perspective; and

 

WHEREAS, the County Manager has submitted to the Board of Supervisors a set of Budget Balancing Principles for its consideration.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the following budget balancing principles will be used to develop strategies and solutions toward eliminating the General Fund structural budget imbalance by Fiscal Year 2013:

A)

Our highest priority is a sustainable community for current and future residents of San Mateo County as defined by achievement of our Shared Vision for a healthy, prosperous, livable, environmentally conscious and collaborative community. We aim to continue progress toward our vision while the economy suffers, and position ourselves strategically for when the economy rebounds. Therefore,

 

All options will be explored to reduce costs and/or redesign services in order to minimize service reductions

 

Near-term decisions must be made in the context of long-term strategic goals

 

Long-term cost effectiveness of prevention and early intervention is recognized

 

Existing services and service levels will be evaluated based on performance and alignment with County’s mission and Shared Vision 2025, as well as minimum legal requirements (mandates).

B)

We aim to continue performing at levels of service quality and outcomes that are at or above average of comparable agencies or established benchmarks.

C)

We recognize that budgeting is a process. Solutions will emerge over time and be implemented to meet the goal of a balanced budget by Fiscal Year 2013. An effective multi-year process that restores structural balance will create a stronger organization and contribute to a stronger community.

 

Solutions may be phased-in, with managed use of reserves, to avoid disruption of service and to cushion transitions to reduced service levels

 

Where possible, employment and training options will be provided to displaced employees.

D)

Our budget process will engage the community we serve to inform inclusive, fact-driven and thoughtful decision-making on multiple strategies, including the reduction and elimination of services. As such,

 

We will be transparent and forthcoming throughout and will work closely with our employees, organized labor and community partners.

 

Reliable information will be provided in a timely way to continue to build trust, confidence and credibility throughout the process.

 

We will seek input from the general public regarding strategies developed by staff.

E)

We aim to not impact any one geographic, ethnic or linguistic community disproportionally as we sustain efforts to address long-standing disparities

F)

We will work together as a single organization while recognizing the unique services offered by each department

 

All County Departments will contribute to the solution.

 

Departments will be afforded flexibility to achieve efficiencies in all areas of operations, operational support and administration

 

We value our employees and will continue to develop our workforce, retain and promote high-performers and continue succession planning efforts

 

We value our broad range of partnerships that cut across departmental lines, and also value partnerships with our community-based organizations and neighboring municipalities

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