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San Ramon Budget approved
The San Ramon City Council voted this week to approve a final budget for the upcoming fiscal year, concluding a series of workshops on the topic that were less challenging than the previous year’s despite an ongoing structural deficit.
The next fiscal year’s budget is bolstered by the passage of the 1% sales tax increase on the 2024 ballot, which went into effect earlier in the year. Nonetheless, city officials are bracing themselves to contend with the continued deficit over the 10 years the sales tax was approved for, treating the additional funds as 10 separate one-time payments.
The current year’s budget aims to serve as a “baseline” for ongoing efforts to balance the city’s finances according to City Manager Steven Spedowfski.
The new budget was approved by the City Council in a unanimous vote Tuesday. A recording of the meeting is available here.
Boating safety tips
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office has issued a series of safety tips for boaters in anticipation of this year’s summer boating season.
“Please always be safe, smart, and alert while on the Delta,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston in a May 23 announcement. “Many boating accidents could be avoided by planning ahead. The U.S. Coast Guard says that 80% of boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket.”
In addition to planning ahead and wearing safety equipment, the office is highlighting a number of other regulations and safety guidelines. These include a new state law going into effect in July that requires an engine cut-off switch on boats less than 26 feet long, avoiding inebriated boat operation, carrying throwable flotation devices on boats 16 feet or longer, adult supervision for children between the ages of 12 and 15 operating vessels, a required water ski flag, and carbon monoxide awareness.
More information is available here.
Art and Wine Festival
The transition from May to June this year is set to be marked by Walnut Creek’s 42nd annual Art and Wine Festival.
This year’s event is set to see the return of its main attractions over the years –art and wine – as well as a change in location, with its typical location at Heather Farm Park currently under construction as a new aquatics center is put into place.
The closure means the event will shift “further into the heart of our downtown” according to event organizers.
The event is estimated to draw more than 40,000 attendees from across the bay area for live music, children’s activities, and a range of vendors in addition to its signature attractions.
The Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (May 31) and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (June 1) in Civic Park at 1375 Civic Dr. More information is available here.
Graduation Day
High school seniors in the Tri-Valley are set for their graduation ceremonies in the week ahead.
For the comprehensive schools, Pleasanton Unified is presenting the Foothill High School ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday (May 30) and Amador Valley’s follows at 7 p.m. — at the respective campuses’ football fields, as well as livestreamed online.
Livermore Valley also has Granada and Livermore graduating this Friday, both at 5 p.m.
Dublin High School is holding its ceremony next Tuesday (June 3) at 4:30 p.m. in Gaels Stadium. And San Ramon Valley’s events are set for 6 p.m. next Friday (June 6) at each of the four high schools.
Go to each district’s website for more information on the alternative high school ceremonies and middle school promotions.
Summer reading kickoff
Dougherty Station Library is set to hold a kickoff celebration for its summer reading program next week as the school year comes to a close and students look toward filling their free time in the coming months.
This year’s “Exploration Stations” program aims to encourage young people not just to pick up books, but to explore the natural world in San Ramon and the surrounding region, with representatives from the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, East Bay Regional Parks District, local astronomical societies, and Contra Costa Animal Services.
The kickoff begins June 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dougherty Station Library at 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road followed by a book sale June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Ramon Library at 100 Montgomery St.
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