Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burlingame public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in taxes budget
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.
Damage claims against the city
The council met privately with legal counsel about a claim that could expose the city to litigation. Any settlement or response would come back to public view later.
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.
New City Hall Financing (Industrial Development Authority)
To finance the new City Hall at 1440 Chapin Avenue, the city is activating a dormant Industrial Development Authority to serve as a bond issuer. The councilmembers will sit as its board.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The city averaged a 6.9% vacancy rate in 2025 across 235.4 positions, slightly worse than 2024. Colson suggested automating the labor-intensive annual AB 2561 report with AI.
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.
Community service organization funding
The Council funded local nonprofits for another year, but a resident called the program invisible and unaccountable. Councilmembers agreed to advertise the program more broadly while keeping a Burlingame-only nexus.
State VLF Shortfall
The state owes Burlingame about $5.5 million in vehicle license fees. The mayor floated accounting strategies to recover value; staff will report back after the state budget settles.
Labor negotiations with AFSCME Local 829
The city is negotiating with the union representing its administrative and maintenance employees. Any resulting wage or benefit agreement affects the city's payroll costs and, eventually, the budget residents fund. Details stay confidential until a tentative agreement is reached.
Downtown Burlingame Avenue assessment renewal
Broadway and downtown businesses will again pay BID assessments funding lighting, plantings, signage, and events. The downtown levy is now billed with business license renewals after a fiscal-year change.