Off-The Grid Proposal In Millbrae

Refer to Page 21.
http://www.ci.millbrae.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5425

I personally think "Off The Grid" in Millbrae is a low risk idea to try to generate some buzz in our town, however I'm hoping that no one is taking this as a seriously "revenue booster" to the city budget. I've made numerous comments towards effective wasteful cuts in the prior year that were commented as "insignificant" when they were in the dollar amounts of the hundreds of thousands. The current proposal for "Off The Grid" will bring in $96 per business license (per truck).

http://blog.priceonomics.com/post/45352687467/food-truck-economics

I can't imagine based on estimated numbers each food truck bring in more than a few thousand a week. If we were to get 30 trucks bringing in $30,000 a week (which would be absolutely amazing) - the city could generate $148,200 at 9.5% sales tax or in other words - the estimated sales tax of a chain store like Kohl's.

While I applaud and love the city council for introducing a great concept like Off The Grid to Millbrae, I hope the citizens of our town can understand our priority should be promoting local business/commerce and spending our money wisely. I'm taking a hard look at the budget proceedings this year, I would highly recommend everyone attend the May City Council meeting to see the preliminary 2014-2015 budget and to examine the 2012-2013 actuals. I will be examining it with a fine tooth comb like I did the 2012 CAFR.

The solutions to our fiscal revenue problems is to encourage higher occupancy in hotels to generate more TOT (transient occupany tax) also known as hotel tax. The hotel tax if the city can promote fuller occupancy will pay in much higher dividends. We also must stop losing businesses like Kohl's - things like this will hurt our town.

Lastly, I'd like to see City Council get more vocal about the hotel at SFO which will hurt hotels in Millbrae and Burlingame. There is no need for a mega-hotel directly on SFO property. The airport district is trying to siphon money away from our local community. We need to put a stop to that.

Thanks for reading!

-Doug Radtke