Council's Strategic Goals

The Strategic Directions express key targets that must be accomplished to achieve its Vision. These Strategic Directions are:

Safe, Clean, and Attractive Neighborhoods

• Ensure higher levels of public safety, especially in neighborhoods under the most stress.
• Enhance the quality of residential neighborhoods by encouraging improved appearance and more community involvement.

Successful Businesses and a Solid Tax Base

• Increase the economic vitality of the City with strengthened ties between business and the general community.

A Community Where Residents Can Flourish and Youth are Nurtured

• Continue to encourage involvement of youth in our community by improving programs for children, pre-teens, and teens.
• Continue to support efforts to improve access to and affordability of early childhood care and education.

Orderly Planning, Development, and Functioning of the Community

• Support future growth and redevelopment in Downtown, other commercial areas, and along the transportation corridor to ensure a well-planned environment and promote a high quality of life.
• Continue efforts to increase entry - level housing, strive for a balance between jobs and housing, and provide incentives for City employees to live in San Mateo.
• Continue to invest in the long-term infrastructure needs of the City and create an identity for San Mateo that generates civic pride and responsibility.

An Open, Participative, and Effective City Government

• Continue to provide cost-effective and quality services that are accessible to all segments of the San Mateo community.
• Maintain City finances where expenses do not exceed ongoing revenues.
• Expand community outreach and participation opportunities for all who live and/or work in San Mateo.
• Continue to cooperate with regional partners, schools, and other agencies to improve infrastructure and services, strengthen partnerships, avoid duplication and decrease costs.
• Develop and maintain an organization that values employee participation and a sense of ownership.

City Council Vision

San Mateo:

• Is a pre-eminent City between San Francisco and San Jose
• Has strong, attractive commercial areas and viable, wholesome neighborhoods
• Has a solid, healthy economic and financial base that cultivates innovation and technology
• Includes its diverse population in all facets of community life and is a nurturing place for youth
• Is safe and has well maintained infrastructure
• Is the cultural center of the County
• Is increasingly sustainable and a leader in reducing carbon emissions

To achieve this vision, the San Mateo City Government will:

• Facilitate the effective functioning and development of the community and its citizens
• Ensure all elements of the community are well represented in the government process
• Serve as both a facilitator and a provider in seeing that community needs and desires are addressed through the most appropriate, effective delivery system whether it is public, non-public or public/private partnership
• Serve as a consensus builder in the community and articulate collective direction
• Maintain a responsive, capable staff dedicated to serving the community in a non-bureaucratic manner and provide high value for the expenditure of public funds
• Look to the long-term future of the community and seek constant improvement, including increasing sustainability and reducing the community's carbon footprint
• Be a full partner in the sharing of common services and regional affairs that affect the City