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Woodside council hears budget warning, directs contract controls and traffic-safety fixes
Summary
Consultant Susan George told the Woodside Town Council the proposed 2026–27 budget is currently $13,000 out of balance and that the five‑year forecast worsens; the council directed tighter contract controls, continued traffic control on Old La Honda Road while pursuing a permanent fix, and creation of an ad‑hoc task force to review sheriff services.
The Woodside Town Council on June 9 reviewed the proposed 2026–27 budget and directed staff to tighten contract controls, return with progress reports before the August recess and keep continuous traffic control at Old La Honda Road while pursuing a longer‑term solution.
Susan George of SEG Consulting told the council the introduced budget is about $13,000 out of balance and that the town’s five‑year forecast shows the gap widening each year. "This is a pivotal moment because you have the opportunity to allow Melissa to make some internal changes in terms of how we do our finances," George said, urging stronger certification that funds are available before contracts are executed.
The council identified two large drivers of the general fund: the town’s contract for law‑enforcement services with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office (about $3.3 million this year and projected closer to $3.6 million in 2026–27) and salary-and‑benefit costs. Council members asked for a focused review of the sheriff contract; several said they want a small ad‑hoc task force to examine alternatives and the value received for the town’s largest line item.
Traffic safety at Old La Honda Road also featured in budget deliberations. Council members and public speakers stressed that the temporary traffic signal there provides a vital safety function. Staff said the draft CIP includes $350,000 in year one to fund shoulder cleanup, consultant design work and other transitional measures, while also pursuing grants and the possibility of purchasing a town‑managed temporary signal. "We eliminated all but three months’ worth of the temporary traffic light funding from this budget," Susan George said, adding staff is working on potential permanent solutions.
Council members gave staff a set of clear directions: implement improved contract management procedures (including consideration of a contract‑administration module), report back with changes before the August recess, bring a revised defensible‑space program with legal analysis and options for cost caps or sliding scales, explore limited withdrawals from the town’s PARS pension reserve for short‑term support, and pursue credit‑card fee recapture. Council members also asked staff to return with proposals and timelines for a permanent Old La Honda Road solution that avoids any gap in traffic control.
The council approved routine consent items earlier in the meeting, including a term extension for a consultant agreement (item 6) that staff said adds time but no new cost for the amendment.
What’s next: staff will return to council with documented process improvements on contract controls and with proposals and legal analyses requested for defensible space, PARS options and traffic‑safety work prior to the council’s August recess.
