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Volunteers Conduct Homeless Count Across the County
The Human Services Agency and about 330 volunteers canvassed San Mateo County Census tracts in the early hours of Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, to collect data about people experiencing homelessness. Officially called the Point-in-Time Count, the tally takes place every two years as required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The information gathered helps inform how best to deliver services to this population. The County has laid out an ambitious goal to achieve what’s called functional zero homelessness, where every unsheltered homeless person who chooses assistance will be provided interim or permanent housing.
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County Recruits for Sheriff’s Office Advisory Commission
The County of San Mateo is currently recruiting for its new Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office and is encouraging a diverse array of residents to apply. The new commission will advise the Board of Supervisors about community-police relations, accountability, transparency and public engagement. The commission will have seven voting members, plus two alternates. The Board created the commission in December. Eligible applicants must be county residents. Citizenship status is not considered. Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. The application is available here.
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Board of Supervisors Pass Encampment Ordinance
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance aimed at encouraging homeless individuals living in illegal encampments to accept assistance. The ordinance allows authorities to charge a person living in an encampment on public property in an unincorporated area with a misdemeanor after receiving at least two written warnings and two offers of shelter that are declined. The "Hopeful Horizons: Empowering Lives" initiative "isn’t about criminalizing people," Board President Warren Slocum said. "It's about helping people who may really not be able to help themselves. It's about encouraging people to get the help they need.”
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Permitting Requirements Ground 2024 Dream Machines
The Half Moon Bay Airport and County of San Mateo are disappointed the annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines show will not take place this spring due to a combination of factors including increased permitting requirements by the Federal Aviation Administration. Two other major events slated for the County’s two airports in 2024 also remain up in the air: the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course, a safe driving training hosted by the Sheriff’s Office at the Half Moon Bay Airport; and the Runway Run organized by the Hiller Aviation Museum at the San Carlos Airport.
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Board of Supervisors Approve County AI Policy
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors at its Jan. 23, 2024, meeting approved a resolution by Supervisor Ray Mueller that affirms the County’s commitment to maintaining County jobs during advancements in artificial intelligence. The resolution also directs the County’s Executive’s Office to develop strategies that balance technological advancement with sustaining the workforce. “The future of work in San Mateo County, and California, will include AI but policy makers must work to ensure that AI’s implementation retains the balance of embracing innovation, without sacrificing the prosperity of our human workforce,” Mueller said.
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County Controller Publishes Property Tax Highlights
The Property Tax Highlights publication is now available for fiscal year (FY) 2022-23. Countywide combined property taxes totaled $3.6 billion for FY 2022-23, an increase of $258 million compared to the prior year, representing 12 consecutive years of property tax growth. Over the last 10 years countywide assessed values and taxes have increased 84 percent. “It’s important to our team that we provide taxpayers and residents visibility into the local tax dollars they pay and where those local dollars go,” said County Controller Juan Raigoza.
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Construction of Tunitas Creek Beach is Underway
The transformation of the 58-acre Tunitas Creek Beach property into the County's newest park is currently in progress. Construction crews are working on the mid-bluff area and access trail to the beach. A landslide that encompassed approximately one-third of the beach access trail was recently cleared and the trail is now being rebuilt with a more stable slope. Construction on picnic sites, interpretive panels and public restrooms are scheduled to begin this spring. Grading for overlooks, parking and pedestrian paths will also begin this spring. The County park is slated to open summer 2024.
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