Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burlingame public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Peninsula Tourism Marketing District Expansion
Burlingame's hotel tax has sat at 12% since 2009 while most neighboring cities charge 14-15%. Raising it could add up to $6.6 million a year to help close projected budget deficits and fund big projects — but hoteliers worry it could cost the city airline crew business. A measure could go to voters in November 2026; miss that window and the next chance is 2028.
Public records request surge and data mining
Public records requests more than quadrupled this fall, mostly from commercial data-mining companies that then sell the data. It's costing the city over $442,000 a year in staff time it can't recover, and it's crowding out other work in the clerk's office.
Transient Occupancy Tax increase on November ballot
The council put a hotel tax increase on the November 3 ballot — from 12% to 15%. If it passes, the city gets roughly $5.7 million more a year for general services, and a study session in January 2027 would decide how to spend it. Hotel managers mostly supported it, asking the city to reinvest in the Bayfront corridor.
FY 2026-27 budget and shrinking reserves
The city is running a $3.1M General Fund deficit next year, dropping unassigned reserves to $293K, with paused pension and capital reserve contributions. Rising fire contract costs and state mandates drive spending growth.