San Mateo County has 116 governmental entities, including 70 special districts, 25 school districts and 20 cities. However, with tight budgets and the need to save taxpayer money, we can no longer afford duplication and overlap of governmental services.
That's why the San Mateo County Charter Review Committee recommended placing Measure B on the ballot to help reduce the waste. Measure B will consolidate the County Coroner's office within the larger and more efficient San Mateo County Sheriff's office -- saving taxpayer money.
A Yes vote on Measure A will:
Save San Mateo County taxpayers more than $1.6 million dollars in duplicate staff costs over the next 10 years.
Save San Mateo County taxpayers more than $750,000 in unnecessary office rental over the next 10 years.
Maintain or improve the positive working relationships between city police departments and the forensic staff.
Maintain voter control over a critical Criminal Justice function.
In fact, Measure B is another step in San Mateo County's effort to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. In 1993, San Mateo County voters approved a similar measure which consolidated the county clerk and assessors office into one more efficient department.
And, 40 out of 58 counties in California have already taken the same cost saving and efficiency minded step consolidating their coroner into their Sheriff's office. It's about time for San Mateo County to remove this burden from our taxpayers' shoulders too!
The San Mateo County Police Chiefs Association, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors strongly support the change in our charter as another step in the process of making local government more cost effective and more responsive to citizens needs.
Help save millions of taxpayer dollars -- please join us voting Yes on Measure B.
/s/ Ruben Barrales
Member, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
/s/ Thomas R. Hitchcock
President, San Mateo County Police Chiefs Association
/s/ Denise DeVille
President, San Mateo County Economic Development Association
/s/ Vince Muzzi
Chair, San Mateo County Charter Review Committee