Meet The Pleasanton Candidate: Jack Balch

PLEASANTON, CA — Patch reached out to all the candidates for mayor and city council in Pleasanton.

Two candidates each are running for mayor, District 1, and District 2.

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We sent out questionnaires and reprinted their answers verbatim. Below, read the responses of Jack Balch, an accountant running for re-election as mayor against Councilmember Julie Testa.

What is your educational background?

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – Bachelor of Science Cum Laude Honors (1995-1999)

What is your professional background?

Balch Enterprises, Inc., Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary (2005 – Present) Ernst & Young, LLP, Assurance Staff and advanced to Assurance Manager (1999 – 2005) California Certified Public Accountant (CPA), License No. 82102 (Nov 2001 - Present) Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), (Aug 2012 - Present) California Real Estate Broker (Broker), License No. 01950245 (April 2014 – Present)

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

Parks & Recreation Commissioner, City of Pleasanton (July 2009 – April 2014) Planning Commissioner, City of Pleasanton (May 2014 – November 2020) Councilmember, City of Pleasanton (December 2020 - December 2024) Mayor, City of Pleasanton (December 2024 - Present)

What are the top three issues facing Pleasanton right now?

Budget / Fiscal Responsibility / Economic Revitalization Hiring permanent City Manager Public Safety

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?

In the first year of my next term, I would prioritize the City to continue focusing on a multiyear financial plan that aligns ongoing spending with reliable revenues while protecting police, fire and essential city services. Building on the pension management strategy adopted during my first term, I would work with our City Manager and Council to set measurable annual targets for controlling costs, meeting pension obligations and funding critical infrastructure. Residents should be able to see what we are funding, how we will pay for it and whether we are meeting our commitments in a clear and transparent way. My goal is a financially stable Pleasanton that delivers dependable services our residents want and deserve, maintain our infrastructure and we live within our means.

Pleasanton has faced projected multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls. What services would you protect, and what combination of spending reductions or new revenue would you support to stabilize city finances?

I would prioritize police and fire protection, reliable water and sewer service, and maintenance that keeps our streets, parks and public facilities safe. I would also work to preserve services that residents rely on.

Stabilizing our finances requires both spending discipline and sustainable revenue. On spending, I support improving operating efficiency, reducing overtime through effective staffing, limiting discretionary expenditures and phasing projects according to urgency and available funding. We should continue implementing our pension management strategy and reduce General Fund subsidies where service fees can fairly recover costs, with income-qualified assistance for residents who need it. Reserves should not become an ongoing solution for recurring expenses.

On revenue, I support attracting and retaining businesses, filling vacant storefronts and making permitting faster and more predictable. We have already taken steps to recover credit card processing costs and expand sponsorship opportunities. I also support the hotel tax measure placed on the November ballot, which would generate revenue from overnight stays.

My approach is to demonstrate responsible spending, pursue economic growth and evaluate targeted revenue options transparently, with clear explanations of what they would fund. Residents deserve a balanced plan.

Pleasanton must accommodate substantial new housing growth, including redevelopment around the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Where should new housing be concentrated, and how should the city address affordability, traffic and infrastructure impacts?

Pleasanton should get in the driver's seat on housing by planning ahead, making wise decisions and setting clear expectations. Thoughtful leadership means shaping growth to serve our community and anticipating the needs it creates.

New housing should be concentrated near transit, jobs and services, including Stoneridge and underutilized commercial sites. At Stoneridge, I support a coordinated plan connecting homes, shopping and public spaces with safe walking and biking routes and convenient BART access and working to reduce the services dessert in this section of our City. We should also plan for a range of housing types on the east side, while protecting open space and respecting established neighborhoods.

Affordability requires homes at different price points, including smaller ownership opportunities, rentals and deed-restricted affordable housing. Partnerships with affordable housing providers and predictable permitting can reduce unnecessary costs while preserving local character and quality standards.

Growth must come with infrastructure support. We should assess cumulative traffic impacts, coordinate with schools and transit providers, and manage growth with infrastructure improvements. Developers should pay their fair share and existing residents should not be required to subsidizing growth.

With public input, sound planning and thoughtful leadership, we can accommodate housing while protecting Pleasanton's quality of life.

Pleasanton businesses have experienced a recent series of burglaries and break-ins. What specific steps should the city take to reduce property crime and support affected businesses?

Public safety is more than statistics; it is about peace of mind. Business owners should feel confident that their livelihoods are protected and that, when a break-in happens, the city will respond and follow through.

I have focused on strengthening police and fire staffing and reducing emergency response times. As police staffing has improved, the department has staffed traffic enforcement and crime prevention positions, helping residents and businesses take practical steps to protect their properties. I have also supported equipment and training investments, including the Police Department's Mobile Command Vehicle and Crime Scene Vehicle, to help our officers work effectively.

We should build on that progress, coordinating with neighboring agencies to identify repeat offenders and crime prevention staff working with businesses and residents on security assessments and support. This may include a direct point of contact at the Police Department.

My priority is to give our officers the resources to prevent and solve crime while ensuring business owners have a responsive partner at City Hall.

Measure HH would increase Pleasanton's hotel tax from 10% to 12%, generating an estimated $2.3 million annually for general city services. Do you support or oppose the measure, and how should the additional revenue be used if it passes?

I support Measure HH and voted to place it before Pleasanton voters. The measure would increase the hotel tax from 8% to 10% on July 1, 2027, and to 12% on July 1, 2028. The estimated additional annual revenue is $1.4 million at the first step and $2.8 million when fully implemented.

The tax is paid by overnight hotel guests, who also benefit from our public safety, streets and other city services. I support this targeted revenue source as one part of a broader plan to stabilize city finances.

If approved, my priorities for the additional revenue would be protecting police and fire services and maintaining streets, parks and public facilities. I would work with residents through the public budget process to ensure spending decisions reflect our community's priorities. This additional revenue must be paired with continued fiscal discipline and clear accountability for how the money is used.

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?

I am grateful for the trust voters have placed in me as their Mayor. I bring clear priorities, experience and a continued focus on delivering real results for Pleasanton. As I seek reelection, I am committed to building on that work through thoughtful planning, responsible financial decisions and responsive leadership. My priorities remain strengthening public safety, investing in reliable infrastructure and protecting the quality of life that makes Pleasanton special.