The ideas that follow come both from submissions to the website and the discussion held December 1st. They are currently being reviewed and assessed by an independent team of consultants. There is still time to submit your idea!
Monitor local contractors
"Buy San Jose" campaign
Support the long-term General Plan to make good land use decisions
Streamline the permitting process for small businesses
Don't dumb-down the process
Create neighborhood improvement districts
Small Business Commission decisions have been blocked – support this commission
Reduce services that are duplicated by other government agencies
Work with the county
On demand public transportation (DASH, etc.)
Stop overpaying for capital projects
Leverage buying power – work with other big cities
Pay council staff more so that council members can hire expert staff
Use of biological methodology (microbes) for sewage/hazardous waste
Create equity in tax issues (a service sales tax, more comprehensive taxes)
Understand how RDA funds are raised/used – could that help generate revenue for General Fund?
Contract out to non-profits
Look at what City can do to use technology coming from Silicon Valley Corporations
Annual report on RDA of spending / retrieval of taxes
Annual report of city $ spent outside of city
City council get independent analysis of budget (like County does) annually
Help small businesses develop so they can pay taxes – work with the Business Chambers
Employers provide option to pay employees health care, or pay the county to provide the health care
Look at budget as short term vs. long term (find both solutions)
More information to Council about the budget (training for council members, staff)
“City Stat” for more accountability
Reduce sales tax leakage “Shop San Jose”
Long term revenue – statewide solutions
Determine who pays for what – where do our tax dollars go?
Examine tax breaks for projects (subsidies)
Better planning around housing decisions (where affordable housing goes, traffic, etc.)
Re-instate Redevelopment Agency Voucher Program to pay for Parks
Un-spent Fund Balance – one time funds or ongoing money?
City employees' efficiency / trust employees more
Evaluate programs problems rather than just cut them if they aren't working
Maintain current parks rather than build new ones
What is the city going to do about the budget?
Train elected officials on prevailing wage
Examine split roll property taxes
Surveys – don't let them mislead public support
Increase the TOT tax - industry may support
Code of conduct for subcontractors
Bring jobs to San José long-term
Code enforcement: needs more staff; higher fines for storing RVs, boats, etc. on street
Major promotion of buy San Jose (valley fair)
Examine our Values to determine next steps – what does the loss of tax revenue result in long-term (e.g. loss of ameneities drives away business just as high taxes do)
Pass Inclusionary Zoning for the entire city
Distribute State sales tax on a per-capita basis
Regional sales tax districts
Address Retail business changes / need changes
Overview / review full cost of contracting out (will cost county)
Budget done with comparison to services & values
Fight to stop spending on the war
Municipal I.D. card
Consider a small local tax on services
Rethink our restrictions on hotel size in business areas
Who is exempt from utility tax?
Large department stores in San Jose
Relationship b/t city & Comcast
What is value of economic activity in SJ in a year? How is that compared to total expenditures & how those meet our needs.
Renovate the Kirk Senior Center – more handicapped parking & upgrade the restrooms.
Prevent health problems by adopting wellness practices
Install solar panels to save on utility bill
Spend less $ enforcing curfew & truancy laws
Improve network at City Hall
Pay to have neighborhood park watered & lit – know where $ is going
Require all new housing built to include at least 50% of energy to come from wind/solar power.
Prioritize funding & constructing bike/running paths connecting waterways of the city to make San Jose better
Buy the railroad right-of-way to connect Guadalupe River trail to Los Gatos Creek
Finish trail work on Guadalupe river
Copy Berkeley's idea to offer bonds to help residents finance solar installations
Extend City's in-lieu medical reimb plan to members in the retirement system
Have city department offices located in City property
Have staff work more than just Monday through Friday to save money
Launch a San Jose Parks Foundation
Join CalPERS trust fund
Reduce taxes to encourage economic growth in SJ
City spending growth should not exceed population growth
Freeze or reduction of employee costs
Reduce airport costs – full evaluation of this project
Parcel tax to pay for deferred maintenance of roads & sidewalks
Citizen's oversight committee to monitor parcel tax
Look at San Diego cost cutting measures, & other cities
Reform priorities in programs or projects
Which departments are top heavy? – downsize top heavy positions
Reduce repetitive tasks
Minimize employee traveling to/from work
Bid for more health care providers to employees could have more than two options
Compensate employees fairly
Recycle reusable materials (new city hall furniture)
Lower/cut police, fire, and general pension benefits to match the overall marketplace
Raise taxes and limit duration
20% pay raise like the city council
Competitive bidding process for turf maintenance in parks
Take into account big picture when determining budget
Support library system
Lower ceilings to reduce energy costs
Reduce amount spent on Art pieces at public spaces (e.g. airport)