HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200513_Support Local Recovery Campaign LetterCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401‐3249, 805.781.7114,
slocity.org
May 13, 2020
Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
VIA E-mail: ExternalAffairs@gov.ca.gov
RE: Need for Increased State and Federal Funding
Support for Cities
Dear Governor Newsom:
The City of San Luis Obispo thanks you for your leadership and efforts to protect and support
Californians during this unprecedented public health crisis. Cities remain on the front-line helping
residents stay safe and in their homes, delivering emergency services, and supporting local
businesses and community organizations. However, as emergency costs continue to grow, city
revenues to fund local services are plummeting. COVID-19 is having devastating impacts on city
budgets and services statewide.
Based on the League of California Cities analysis, California cities are projecting a nearly
$7 billion general revenue shortfall over the next two fiscal years. This shortfall will grow by
billions of dollars if stay-at-home orders to protect public health extend into the summer months and
beyond.
These shortfalls have already impacted City of San Luis Obispo services. In response to COVID-19,
the City immediately activated its Fiscal Health Contingency Plan and has been able to reduce its
general fund operating budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 by over $4 million. Additional lay-offs or
furloughs may be considered depending on how the fiscal outlook develops. San Luis Obispo’s local
economy is heavily reliant on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. If the college’s Fall quarter becomes virtual
and students do not return to our city, there will be additional unprecedented revenue shortfalls.
Further reductions will undoubtedly impact core city services for residents, as well as employees.
The toll on employment, businesses, and economic stability will likely take a long-time to recover.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the City of San Luis Obispo has stepped up to protect
and serve our community including taking several actions to reduce impacts and limit the spread of
COVID-19 such as:
1. Developed a Continuity of Operations Plan to ensure essential City services such as public
safety, water and wastewater will remain in place.
2. Providing regular updates to the public.
3. Cancelling/Postponing Special Events.
4. Cancelled Non-Essential Public Meetings
5. Implemented safety guidelines for City employees and providing technology for employees
to work from home.
6. Temporarily closing City facilities to the public.
7. Adjusting City bus routes to reflect local school closures, enacted measures for employee
and rider safety.
8. Activating the Emergency Operations Center.
9. Temporarily suspending before and after school care programs for participant safety.
The City of San Luis Obispo has supported our regional partners through various efforts, including
the creation of an Alternative Care Site located at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Recreation Center.
The necessary measures our city has taken are costly. In order to continue to be a full partner with
the state in saving lives, protecting our communities, and ultimately recovering from this crisis, we
need your help.
City of San Luis Obispo has joined the Support Local Recovery coalition and we are calling on you
to immediately support the following actions:
Provide $7 billion in direct and flexible state funding to support critical local services and
allocate CARES Act funding for all cities for COVID-19-related expenditures.
Advocate to secure $500 billion in direct and flexible funding from the federal
government for all cities nationwide to support critical local services.
The City of San Luis Obispo appreciates your consideration of our requests and look forward to
further discussing in the coming days how together we can continue to best protect Californians and
reopen our economy. Thank you again for your leadership and partnership during these uncertain
times.
Sincerely,
Heidi Harmon
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
Cc: San Luis Obispo City Council
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Fax: (202) 228-3954
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, Fax: (202) 224-2200
U.S. Congressman Salud Cabajal, Fax: (805) 439-3574
State Senator Bill Monning, Fax: (916) 651-4917
State Assembly Member Jordan Cunningham, Fax: (916) 319-2135
Bismarck Obando, League of California Cities, SupportLocalRecovery@cacities.org