Los Gatos’ sales tax could reach its limit after the November election if the majority of voters pass a revenue-generating measure intended to fund some of the town’s top issues. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 4-1 earlier this month to approve putting a 1/8-cent sales tax on the November ballot after reviewing positive community...
Campbell finalizes economic plan with mixed business response
Campbell’s latest economic development plan is getting mixed reviews from business owners after its first update since 2017. The three-year plan, unanimously adopted by the Campbell City Council in April, aims to tackle three areas of economic growth: filling vacancies, preserving its trade sector and creating a vibrant downtown hub. While the city is working to fix...
Santa Clara settles lawsuit with 49ers
Santa Clara and the San Francisco 49ers have settled their last outstanding lawsuit after years of conflict, taking a step toward reconciliation. The settlement will generate $20 million for Santa Clara over the next two years through changes to the city’s contracts with the 49ers, including $2.8 million in the next fiscal year, according to...
Sunnyvale voters to decide on library renovation
Sunnyvale voters will have a tax measure on their November ballot — a long-needed bond to renovate the city’s public library. The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with a $290 million general obligation bond to support rebuilding the city’s main public library, and axing plans for a property transfer tax ...
Fight to stop anti-tax measure comes to Silicon Valley
A November ballot measure could profoundly change how essential government services are funded in California. The statewide fight to stop it has reached Silicon Valley. Labor, community and city leaders from Mountain View, Los Altos and San Jose rallied with signs and horns on Wednesday against a business community-sponsored initiative known as the Taxpayer Protection...
West Valley city faces multimillion-dollar shortfall
One West Valley city will be forced to tighten its belt in the coming years, as it faces a multimillion–dollar budget shortfall largely due to factors outside its control. Campbell anticipates roughly $66 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024-25, but expects to spend about $70 million, resulting in an estimated $4 million budget deficit....
San Jose cannabis dispensary opens in downtown
San Jose has opened its first ever retail storefront for cannabis in the heart of downtown. For years the city had strict rules on where dispensaries could operate, relegating them to industrial areas. Last year the City Council revised regulations on where dispensaries rent space and allowing one operator to have more than one location. Mark Ritchie, president...
San Jose food hall has rocky start
People driving by San Jose’s Downtown Food Hall might be forgiven for thinking it’s closed. The dark interior seems to be housing abandoned equipment. Next to a locked door directly under the building’s marquee, an “open” sign is turned off. The real entrance is three windows down, under an incongruous green and white striped awning....
San Jose Sharks tout benefits to city as lease set to expire
The San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center lease with the city is expiring next year, and the terms will be changing — opening the door for negotiations with both parties. Next year the city, which owns the arena, can hike the Sharks’ rent annually, and Sharks Sports and Entertainment leaders are hinting at a desire for...
San Jose looks to raise garbage and recycling rates
San Jose garbage and recycling rates are on the rise again, making it more difficult for low-income families to balance their budgets. The city is proposing a 4% rate increase or $2.05 a month for single-family service, which would bring the monthly bill to $53.45 or $641.40 annually for the 32-gallon cart. The multi-family service...