Cautiously Optimistic

In the Daily Journal today re: Burlingame finances:

At this point last year, cities across the Peninsula were contemplating layoffs and additional service cuts.

We're cautiously optimistic,? said Burlingame Finance Director Jesus Nava. Not to sound like Alan Greenspan, but we have to remain cautious.? In Burlingame, Nava reports some growth in sales tax revenue the city collects from retail stores and auto dealerships, but more significant growth in hotel tax revenue. This fiscal year, Nava reports a projected $8 million in transient occupancy tax, an 8 percent increase from last year's $7.3 million in hotel tax the city collected. However, it is a far cry from the $14 million a year the city pulled in before the Sept. 11 attacks, Nava said. Burlingame's general fund budget, which acts like the city's checking account and pays for police, firefighters, libraries, planning and parks, is $34 million, Nava said.

In Burlingame, city workers are also expected to receive a raise of 3 percent to keep salaries at the county median, Nava said. Last year, city workers received a 2 to 5 percent raise after being frozen the year before, Nava said. The city has 249 employees.

What shocked me is that the City has 249 employees for a town of 28,000+. And eight or ten of those earn $100,000 plus. Maybe it is time to call around to find out about the other towns!

- Written by Fiona

Comments

[Patrick Jensen]

Although there is already the San Mateo County Tourist Bureau, Burlingame does little to encourage people staying in the hotels to come "Shop Burlingame." Instead of business travelers going to Palo Alto for lunch, or to the city to shop, they should go to one of Broadway's many restaurants, or Maloufs or Morning Glory to shop. The idea sounds simple and a little naive, but I really do believe that Burlingame misses out on a lot of business because there are no brochures in the hotel, promoting the many businesses and attractions...

Additionally, Burlingame should direct more attention to attracting conventions. Burlingame reps should work with closely hotel management and create incentives for large groups to utilize our Bayshore hotels for meetings and conventions.

It is about time we got creative about finances. There is no reason we cant get back up to the pre-9/11 level.

[Rosaline]

The Chamber of Commerce years ago received funding for a brochure to go to the hotels to encourage visitors to come to Burlingame to shop and dine. Don't know if anyone has seen it yet?

The Shuttle must be helping with encouraging visitors especially now that they go down Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. Last year when I test rode the shuttle it did not go down our shopping districts and the driver did not point out the stops. So perhaps things are looking up?

[Patrick Jensen]

Does the shuttle go to the offices on the Bayshore. I remember when I worked on Airport Blvd. We would always eat bring lunch, and rarely drive to the Avenue or Broadway, it was such a hassle... If business were provided with a schedule that they could count on, or a website where they could reference the shuttle times, I think a lot of employees on the Bayshore side would use it, instead of having to hop in their cars...

[Rosaline]

The Shuttle brochure I have does include some businesses but:

(a) You have to be a chamber member to be included
(b) It gives you phone numbers and not addresses.

Maybe the Shuttle brochure could be more inclusive and more informative. Promote all Burlingame businesses and tell them where the businesses are located. Like duh!