1. Stabilize the Budget – Novato is facing a $5 million structural budget deficit over the next 5 years.

Solution: In order to close the gap, I think all of the following need to be evaluated:

• Possibility of selling assets (land & unused facilities) and utilizing gains to generate ongoing revenue
• Review of staffing levels, pensions, and benefits
• Review of all consultant and contract fees
• Buying office space instead of leasing at $700k/year
• Eliminate redundancies and share resources with other districts (school, water, fire, sanitation)
• Long term sustainability and revenue generation (additional retail, restaurants, redevelopment)

2. Increase Public Safety – Within the county, Novato has the fewest police officers per resident, the fewest officers per square mile, and has the lowest cost on police spending per resident, yet community surveys show that public safety is the top priority of residents.

Solution: The city needs permanent office space for their city staff. Currently the city spends close to $700,000 per year out of their general fund to lease office space. If the redevelopment agency paid back just half of the $12 million owed to the general fund, the city could potentially purchase permanent office space and see an immediate $700,000 per year return on their investment (11.5%) which a portion of could be used to increase the sworn officer count.

3. Repair Novato’s Infrastructure – Novato has several city facilities with years of deferred maintenance and new facilities are being opened in 2009 and 2010 with no funds in place for new maintenance.

Solution: In order to prevent the situation from getting worse, the city council should consider instituting a policy on capital improvement that would require a built in funding mechanism for maintenance of any new facilities.