Spending Plan Prioritizes Critical Needs
September 8, 2023
  • Redwood City – The County of San Mateo today released a revised budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that highlights the County’s commitment to ending homelessness, expanding mental health services and supporting financially vulnerable residents.

    “We want to ensure that every resident of San Mateo County has access to critical supports that make our community stronger and more resilient,” said County Executive Mike Callagy. “The goal is that everyone can truly thrive, not just survive.”

    To view the revised budget, go to the Office of Budget and Performance, then click on "September Revisions (FY 2023-24)

    The $4.4 billion revised budget includes $365 million in increased expenditures from the recommended budget released in June 2023. This reflects fine-tuning revenue projections along with additional resources that support key priorities set by the Board of Supervisors.  

    The revised budget comes as federal and state programs that provided a safety-net for many residents during the COVID-19 pandemic have ended. 

    “We know that more resources are needed to provide not just shelters but to provide affordable housing and also the supports vulnerable residents need to prevent homelessness in the first place,” Callagy said. “This revised budget continues to further the County’s commitment to ending homelessness – that is providing the services needed for every individual experiencing homelessness who wants services.”

    Highlights to changes in the recommended budget include:

    Housing and Homelessness
    •    Increases in general assistance to qualified low-income residents
    •    Funds designated for farm labor housing, affordable housing
    •    Shelter operations

    Emergency Preparedness
    •    Expanding fire mitigation measures (fuel reduction, other projects)
    •    Addition of two emergency managers focusing on earthquake preparedness

    Health and Mental Health
    •    Increasing funding for crisis response teams, Mental Health Services Act
    •    Implementation of project to transfer paper patient records to electronic health records

    Public Safety
    •    Expanding use of body-worn cameras throughout the Sheriff’s Office
    •    Funding for fire engine replacement
    •    Creating “Mobile Probation Service Centers” to serve as additional sites where clients can report in and receive services

    The Board of Supervisors will hold a public vote on the revised budget at its scheduled meeting on Sept. 26, 2023. The vote is the final phase of a months-long process that aligns final revenue projections with service needs and projected expenses. 

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    Office of Budget and Performance -- Budget Documents
     

    Media Contact

    Michelle Durand
    Chief Communications Officer
    mdurand@smcgov.org