FY 2021 2122 ADOPTED OPERATING AND FY 2021 2526 CIP BUDGETS

Economic Development

010.8010

Division Description Economic Development (ED) is within the Development Service Department. The division is focused on improving the community’s economic sustainability and quality of life by helping create a strong, diversified local economy with a strong job base, a vibrant Downtown, thriving shopping centers and a variety of critical services including lodging and healthcare.

The ED Division is comprised of one (1) Economic Development Director, one (1) Economic Development Manager, and one (1) part-time (unbenefited) Economic Development Fellow and part-time support from an Administrative Analysist to assist with the implementation of the Economic Recovery Plan.

The ED team provides business retention, attraction and development assistance, marketing and branding, policy analysis and development, partnerships, advancement of key development initiatives, Downtown development and placemaking, High Speed Rail and tourism. Paramount to Economic Development’s effort is attracting jobs and investment that will improve the community’s quality of life and grow the economy through increased sales tax, business to business tax, and transient occupancy tax. The City’s 2017 Economic Blueprint identifies a robust and detailed work program that guides the City’s ED efforts intended to support economic prosperity and create fiscal sustainability by focusing on: 1) growing existing companies, attracting new industry, and growing professional jobs in the area of Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing; 2) growing retail offerings and strengthen commercial nodes; 3) growing and fostering the medical service and diagnostics industry by attracting services and facilities; and 4) growing leisure, agriculture, wine country, and recreational tourism.

FY 2018-19 and 2019-20 Accomplishments

• Updated Zoning related to Convenience markets: At the request of a local gas station looking to re-invest in its facility, an updated Convenience Store Ordinance sets separate definitions for convenience markets, liquor stores and convenience markets with fuel stations. The changes eliminate the 300-square-foot sales area limit as well as the 1,000-foot separation between convenience stores. The ordinance gives convenience markets more freedom to expand and reinvest in their facilities.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 237