Foghorn May 23- Bob Nisbet

Before Bob's job interview, he checked out the brand-new Half Moon Bay Library and was blown away. He espouses a love of architecture.

 

       

 

Half Moon Bay's fiscal year runs from July through June. The city Council recently completed a planning retreat where they set 5 priorities. Those priorities are affordable housing (the city has about $2.4 million to subsidize affordable housing), emergency preparedness, traffic and transportation, leading the way in sustainability and a $15 minimum wage.

 

Bob reported that there was a recent budget study session during which the Council explored preparation for a possible future economic downturn. Currently, the top 3 revenue sources are the transiency tax (forecast at 6.8 million), property tax (forecast at 3.4 million) and sales tax (forecasted 2.9 million). Bob noted that property tax is limited to 1% of assessed value and the city receives only 7% of that. The primary recipient is the school district. The city's finances have improved such that they have been able to add positions for a sustainability manager, a maintenance worker for the library and a new employee for the Parks and Recreation Department. The city will also be creating a new communications department. Capital improvement projects for the coming year are anticipated at about $3 million. Finally, he noted that the cost of the contract for police services with the Sheriff's Department will go up $326,000 this year.

 

During a question-and-answer session, some club members seem supportive of the $15 an hour proposition while others expressed concern about its effect on small business and most specifically on the hospitality and restaurant industries. The vacant lot at the northeast corner of Kelly and Main remains a concern. Bob sees it every day from the office window. He promoted the Future Leaders Civics Academy which is a new program for high school students. He also told us that in cleaning out the office he discovered city incorporation papers dated July 15, 1959 that warrant an anniversary celebration.