In an hours-long discussion of Gilroy City Council goals, the need to attract business – and its accompanying tax revenue – rose to the top of a long list of priorities. While the talks were not binding, they set the stage for the agenda of a council that was remade in November’s election.
“We’ve got to start somewhere,” said Mayor Greg Bozzo. “It makes me optimistic that we’re going to head in another direction — a better direction.”
The focus on bringing business, taxes and jobs to the city comes amid a backdrop of shrinking sales tax revenue for the city, a well-documented shortage of firefighters and underfunding of public safety, and a population that largely commutes north for jobs outside the city.
At this year’s first strategic planning meeting, the specter of economic development lingered over much of the council’s deliberations: from pushes to provide incentives for developers and streamline business applications, to plans to remake a dedicated team for economic development, to directives to clean up litter and graffiti.
“All these go hand in hand,” said councilmember Carol Marques, noting that a cleaner city could make Gilroy more attractive to visitors and developers alike.
Beyond economic development, the council touched on an array of other issues ranging from transportation to housing. Most prominent of these was homelessness, where Gilroy has among the largest unhoused populations in Santa Clara County.
Previously, the city has focused on camp sweeps and abatement. While some councilmembers highlighted the importance of law enforcement, many councilmembers signaled an interest in getting more resources and services to the city, especially through partnering with county and state governments.
“We do not have the resources to address this issue with compassion,” said Councilmember Kelly Ramirez. “We can tell our police … ‘hey, push them out’ … Well, that’s not taking care of the issue.”
The meeting was the first in a series that will eventually lead to the adoption of a budget in June. The discussion will continue at a meeting in early March, and is open to the public.