San Mateo City Manager Alex Khojikian is hitting the road this month, hosting a string of neighborhood meetings in June to walk residents through the city’s priorities, long-term finances and a possible quarter-cent local sales tax that could land on the November 2026 ballot. Each session pairs Khojikian with different council members and neighborhood groups, and all are open to the public. City officials say the talks are meant to field questions and collect community feedback while staff finishes its financial analysis.
According to the City of San Mateo, a 1/4-cent sales tax could generate roughly $7 million a year. The city says the money would stay under local control, with independent annual audits and a resident oversight committee. The ballot information page lists potential funding priorities, including 911 emergency response, street and sewer maintenance, parks and libraries, and emergency preparedness, while also highlighting exemptions for essentials such as groceries and prescription medicines. The city is currently taking input through an online form and by email as it weighs whether to place the measure on the ballot.
Meetings Across Neighborhoods
The city’s meeting schedule runs through June with a rotating cast of council members and neighborhood partners. The series kicks off June 7 with Deputy Mayor Nicole Fernandez. On June 16, Khojikian will meet with the Beresford/Hillsdale Neighborhood Association at the San Mateo Senior Center (2645 Alameda de las Pulgas). The roadshow continues June 22 with Council Member Lisa Diaz Nash at the Main Library Oak Room (55 West 3rd Avenue), June 25 with Council Member Danielle Cwirko-Godycki at the Wastewater Treatment Plant training room, and June 29 with Mayor Adam Loraine at Fire Station #27.
Additional gatherings with Council Member Rob Newsom and other neighborhood groups are also on the calendar, though some locations are still being finalized. The city notes that these are informal, conversational sessions focused on questions and community priorities rather than formal public hearings.
Why Officials Say They Need New Revenue
City officials point to rising costs for essential services, aging infrastructure and uncertain state funding as key reasons behind what staff describes as a recurring budget gap that will need long-term fixes. The City Council directed staff to start public education and outreach after polling and analysis, described in the city’s outreach planning and consultant materials, indicated a quarter-cent sales tax polled better than a larger bond measure, according to the city’s planning documents. Staff is expected to return to the council with draft measure language, updated analysis and additional polling results before the council takes up a final decision in July.
How To Participate
Residents interested in weighing in are encouraged to check the city’s announcement and the linked social media post for the latest times and locations. Questions can be emailed to [email protected]. For those who cannot attend in person, the city offers an online feedback form accessible through its ballot measure materials.
