The City of San Leandro had a budget work session on April 13 to review cuts for the upcoming year and to look at the next two years.
The council is looking to approve the 2027 fiscal year budget next month. Cost savings include changing library hours, eliminating vacant positions, reducing city branding funds, reducing police hiring services and reducing operating expenses for multiple departments.
There was a call to cut council member compensation but it was overruled by several council members, citing that the city leaders don’t get paid that much. The council members receive $1,900 a month, while the mayor receives $3,800.
Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen said axing their pay loses the symbolic purpose of being on the council.
“It does require you to commit in ways where if you took the time that you committed to this role, you could do other things for significantly more than we are making,” she said. “And certainly nobody’s doing this for the money. It’s mostly for the glamour, I think.”
Proposed cuts for the next two years include the downtown ambassador program and the alternative response unit program in the fire department. The council said they plan to prioritize those programs in the future if their financial situation improves.
Councilmember Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton said she is concerned about the future expense of a firetruck, which currently requires the city to pay $1.5 million upfront. City manager Janelle Cameron said they will look into what their options are. She did say it’s critical now to pay the amount needed to attain the truck.
There was also discussion about an annual comedy festival, which will happen this year. The concern was what the funding sources would be for the next several years. The council decided to worry about the festival when they got to that point.
Council direction included reallocating $50,000 from economic studies. The studies would evaluate place making opportunities for community events. The money is going to the business incentive program for small businesses to receive support for upgrades.
More future cuts include reducing financial support for community events that involve music and programming, farmers markets, small business week, restaurant week and new business recruitment.
