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Committee receives county budget proposals; supervisors press to protect planning staffing and seek real-estate inventory for revenue options
Summary
Committee members reviewed draft budget options and asked staff to preserve planning department capacity by pursuing fee adjustments and other revenue; the committee approved the report to continue budget deliberations and requested follow-up on an inventory of county real estate and the department equity planning process.
The Santa Clara County Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on April 17 received a report from the County Executive on departmental budget proposals and requested follow-up on several items, including an inventory of surplus county real property and protections for planning-staff capacity if fee increases are not adopted.
Why it matters: supervisors said the county’s planning department needs adequate staffing to meet ongoing mandates, including the housing element and related planning workloads. Committee members sought assurances that proposed reductions would not materially impair the county’s ability to complete state-mandated work and other high-priority planning tasks.
What staff presented: the county executive’s office described that departments had submitted two scenarios to meet budget targets—one that depends on projected fee revenue and another (“plan B”) with proposed reductions if those revenues do not materialize. Planning Department staff and supervisors discussed a proposed $500,000 in reductions and a set of fee increases the department estimates could generate $1,380,000 if phased in; supervisors asked that the county prioritize maintaining planning capacity and that the county executive weigh cuts across departments before final decisions are made.
Board-level concerns and directions: Supervisor Sylvia Arenas asked staff to convene stakeholders and to explain how the planning department’s proposed fee increases were calibrated and what public notification would precede any changes. Several supervisors urged coordination with cities when seeking local matching funds for grants. Committee members also asked for a list of county-owned parcels and facilities to evaluate revenue or lease opportunities before permanent disposals.
Other items reported to the committee: Office of Supportive Housing acting director KJ Kaminski announced two Measure A–funded projects that recently were awarded tax credits: Lupina Apartments (98 units, including 25 permanent supportive housing units) and Magnolias in Morgan Hill (66 units, including PSH and farmworker units). Kaminski noted outreach events planned for Affordable Housing Month in May, including Measure A project tours and a May 14 panel in Gilroy. Edgar Velasco, director of SIPA, and acting Parks Director Joe Aguilar also reported on community programs and upcoming events.
Public comment and committee action: a public commenter raised concerns about equitable distribution of resources and farmworker housing; committee members responded that staff are pursuing CalAIM-related funding and coordinating with the managed-care plans. The committee moved and approved the county executive’s budget report for further consideration; supervisors recorded an aye vote and directed staff to return with more detail on fee proposals, equity plan development and a county real-estate inventory.
Next steps: the county executive’s office and departments will continue budget development, and staff agreed to return with more detailed recommendations on fee implementation, an equity framework and a summary of county-owned properties for potential revenue or lease strategies. The committee also asked that departments engage city partners when assembling grant applications.
