Mountain View to Pilot Guaranteed Basic Income, Adopts Budget

City Council Adopts Budget that Enhances Current Service Delivery Levels

Local eviction moratorium extended through August 31; Guaranteed basic income pilot program allotted $1 million in funding; Strategic roadmap to achieving City’s top priorities approved

Mountain View, Calif. – At the Tuesday, June 22 meeting, the City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Recommended Budget that enhances current service delivery levels. The total FY 2021-22 budget adopted was $421.1 million in expenditures.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

As with most local governments, the City of Mountain View experienced revenue losses in the past fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and sales tax revenue. Even though there was a loss of revenue in Fiscal Year 2020-21, the General Operating Fund has remained balanced this year primarily due to lower expenditures combined with the City’s strong property tax base and steady lease revenue from City-owned property.

In the midst of this fiscal impact, the City was able to use one-time revenues to provide significant pandemic relief resources to the community and will continue to do so in Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23 through the City’s use of one-time funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, a Federal government stimulus program.

Funding Approved for Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program

As part of the formal budget adoption, the City Council allocated $1 million for a guaranteed basic income pilot program. Currently, the pilot program is in the preliminary phase as City staff begins conducting research about basic income programs already launched in other cities. In addition, staff is working with multiple organizations that do this work to help inform proposed designs for Mountain View.

At the May 25 meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution to commit their support for the principles of basic income, authorized participation in the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income initiative, and expressed their support for a cash-based pilot program in Mountain View.

A study session on a potential basic income pilot for Mountain View is in the works for the fall.

Resources Dedicated for Integrated Human Services and Homelessness Response

Through the budget adoption, the City is dedicating resources to meet the needs of Mountain View’s most vulnerable residents while improving the quality of life for all residents. A newly established Human Services Division within the City Manager’s Office will develop policy recommendations and response strategies and coordinate with community-based organizations, nonprofits and intergovernmental partners, and a network of service providers to assist the homeless, unstably housed and other vulnerable residents through housing services, mental health services, and other basic needs and human services.

Extension of Local Rental Eviction Moratorium

Also at the June 22 meeting, the Council adopted a citywide urgency ordinance to temporarily suspend evictions for nonpayment of rent by residential tenants financially impacted by COVID-19. The ordinance is in effect from July 1 through August 31, 2021.

In the meantime, City staff is closely monitoring State’s actions regarding its eviction moratorium, rent relief programs and other COVID-19 housing relief for landlords and tenants.

New City Vision, Strategic Priorities and Strategic Roadmap

Earlier this month at the June 8 meeting, the Council approved the Strategic Roadmap for Fiscal Years 2021- 23, which includes seven new strategic priorities, a forward-looking vision statement and the action plan for the top priority projects.

The City’s vision statement is: “A welcoming, vibrant city that plans intentionally and leads regionally to create livable, sustainable neighborhoods, access to nature and open spaces, and a strong, innovation-driven local economy.”

The strategic priorities are Community for All, Livability and Quality of Life, Intentional Development and Housing Options, Mobility and Connectivity, Sustainability and Climate Resiliency, Economic Vitality, and Organizational Strength and Good Governance.

Visit MountainView.gov/StrategicRoadmap for additional details.

The City’s fiscal year runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. For more details about the adopted budget, visit MountainView.gov/budget.