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At its Monday meeting, the City Council approved Redwood City’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget with a 6-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Lissette Espinoza-Garnica dissenting.
Espinoza-Garnica’s dissent stemmed from criticism of a pilot program for surveillance using security cameras.
Despite anticipated future deficits, next year’s budget represents a 7.9% increase in expenditures from the previous year.
“We have identified for some years now that we face a structural deficit where our ongoing revenues are not enough for our ongoing expenditures,” said City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz.
The approved 2024-25 budget is expected to have a surplus, primarily due to the leftover funds from the 2023-24 fiscal year, which will cover next year’s expenditure gaps.
The budget proposal, presented at a previous council meeting, underwent several minor revisions.
The update saw funding for a security camera pilot program cut by $200,000 and an increase for curb ramp infrastructure.
Some members of the public and Espinoza-Garnica criticized the pilot program for the security cameras.
“I urge you to put in place strong safeguards to protect privacy rights and ensure accountability,” said Redwood City resident Clara Jaeckel.
Resident Francine Taylor was also critical of the costs, saying the price of the pilot program was excessive.
“Do you think this is a good use of city funds?” Taylor asked, questioning why the study was expected to cost $800,000.
The funding for the cameras and curb improvements comes from a one-time $7.1 million allocation for various infrastructure and public service programs.
Stevenson Diaz said this reflected community feedback, such as fixing potholes and sidewalks, continuing afterschool and recreational programs for children, and maintaining the current number of on-duty officers and firefighters.
The first year of the five-year Capital Improvement Program was also approved for funding, totaling $75 million for the next year.
“It’s pretty daunting what’s ahead of us,” said Council member Diane Howard, adding that the city must get creative to overcome deficits.
