County Supervisors To Consider Revised Budget To Address COVID-19

REDWOOD CITY, CA — As local officials continue to deal with the economic fallout caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt a $3.7 billion budget later this month that includes an estimated $180 million in increased spending to cover costs related to the pandemic.

The revised budget, which will be considered by the board at its Sept. 29 meeting, includes a 16 percent hike in spending from the budget recommendations that were proposed in June, according to county officials. Officials announced in a news release that the increases in spending will address the impacts of the pandemic’s shutdown and the need for more funds to go toward increased public health and safety programs.

County officials indicated that the $180 million in pandemic-related spending includes personal protection equipment, shelter facilities, health care costs, staffing and telecommuting costs. According to release, the county has received $134 million in federal CARES money, $24.8 million of which was spent in fiscal year 2019-20.

Due to the pandemic, the county has claimed $39 million and received and spent $18.6 million in FEMA funding in the previous fiscal year. County officials anticipating claiming at least $48 million in FEMA dollars due to the pandemic and the CZU Lightning Complex fires in fiscal year 2020-21.

In response, county officials have put off several capital spending projects — including for energy upgrades and building renovations, which led to an estimated $49.5 million rollover of unspent funds from the previous fiscal year, the county announced.

In June, San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy told the board that he expected the proposed budget to undergo substantial changes. At the time, he estimated those changes and told the board that the county was forecasting a shortfall of between $65 million and $100 million due to lost taxes and realignment issues.

County officials have announced that the updated approved recommended budget will include $16.8 million in county cost reductions, $12 million in capital project deferrals, $61 million in Prop. 72 and realignment revenue reductions and $20.5 million in Measure K reductions, which includes deferment of the Pescadero Fire Station and a $5 million reduction of the Affordable Housing Fund.

Callagy has praised local departments for their response to the pandemic while continuing to deliver necessary services. As an example, the San Mateo County Medical Center converted its ambulance services to telehealth in just a few days while county parks and the district attorney and court system has shifted to virtual models to meet the needs of local residents.