Saratoga News

Letters

City should look at producing revenue

I heartily agree with Blair Glenn's letter, published in the Saratoga News on April 16. His closing sentence says it : "Let's run this city like a business!"

In his letter, he encouraged the council to concentrate on the goal of increasing revenue rather than reducing city staff and services. It's simple: if we can increase revenue, we can preserve some jobs and services that might otherwise be cut.

I'm not nearly as familiar as the council is with the numerous city-sponsored activities; therefore, I'm not able to make many specific suggestions. However, it seems reasonable to assume that there are several activities and events which might produce additional revenue.

The following come to mind:

1. Increase fees for all classes offered and/or sponsored by the city.

2. Charge admission to Hakone Gardens. A minimal fee would not deter anyone, and the total revenues could be significant. As Blair suggested, allow Hakone to be rented for private special occasions. While rental fees should not be prohibitive, they should cover all costs, including "wear and tear" and a charge for the special ambience of Hakone.

3. Increase certain city service fees--especially those aimed at stopping increased degradation of our physical setting as well as our lifestyle.

4. Decrease perks for high-level management.

5. Consider charging for parking in the Village and other venues that enjoy high levels of usage. They include Saratoga Theater, Montalvo, Mountain Winery, West Valley College events and Celebrate Saratoga! Charges for shuttles to Montalvo and the Winery should also be considered (if they are not already in place). While it is a distasteful action for us to consider, San Francisco and some areas of San Jose have pay-only parking near entertainment/restaurant venues.

6. Issue more speeding and other moving violation citations. Not only would that add to city coffers, it might actually improve safety!

7. Charge admission to all city-sponsored events--enough to generate revenue but not so much as to prevent people from attending.

8. And, lastly, what about events at West Valley College? Saratoga's streets and nearby parking areas (at the post office and City Hall) are frequently used for parking during their events. What about capitalizing on that and charge for parking when our lots are not being used?

I feel that the council and city staff have not yet fully explored all possible sources of revenue enhancement. Hiring a consultant for this purpose is likely to be expensive; what about consulting with Saratoga residents experienced in this area? It could be mutually beneficial, since increased revenues for Saratoga and strengthening of the partnership between the residents and the council could result.

The council and staff need to be creative, and it is possible that some staff and service reductions may be inevitable; however, I have confidence that the city staff, the council and Saratoga residents all working toward the primary goal of revenue enhancement, rather than staff-service reduction, will be successful. As someone very wise once said, "It can't hurt to try."

Marcia Fariss
Saratoga Glen Place