Scotts Valley released its Strategic Work Plan report last week, highlighting just how far Scotts Valley has come under the guidance of City Manager Mali LaGoe—but also struggles the City continues to face.
The report card, a visually-pleasing document containing information organized in a helpful manner, contained plenty of dark green arrows, indicating projects that have already been completed. That included the implementation of a new payroll system, the completion of a compensation study and hiring a consultant to take a look at the City’s financial picture.
Such items as providing access to on-demand training materials for staff, building and planning permit software upgrades and rewarding high performance staffers were some of the things denoted with a green arrow—meaning in progress.
However, an effort to look at raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)—or hotel tax—from 11% to 12% has yet to kick off, per the report, hence the gray arrow on that part of the table.
The review also highlighted Scotts Valley’s continued staffing challenges.
A total of 13 people left the City in Fiscal 2023-24. However, the HR department managed to fill 17 positions, resulting in a vacancy improvement from 13% all the way down to 4%.
“The City is close to full staffing with all leadership positions filled and only a few line-level positions still in recruitment,” the report stated. “The Police Department onboarded five new officers this year, filling its ranks for the first time in many years. With stable staffing, momentum will continue to deliver consistent, high-quality services and projects for Scotts Valley residents.”
A lawsuit filed earlier this year by a longtime recreation manager who claims she was pushed out during a battle with cancer was not mentioned in the document.
LaGoe—alongside her administrative services director—has been leading the charge on seeking new revenue sources for the City. This involved commissioning consultant Baker Tilly to complete a financial analysis.
Scotts Valley City Council got to see the first draft at their planning workshop, back in February.
The following month, the City met with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce. On the table was a discussion of modernizing the Business License Tax (BLT).
Godbe Research prepared a poll to gauge public sentiment for a Utility Tax expansion. However, staff recommended Council only pursue the BLT.
Council was scheduled to make a final decision on putting a tax measure on the ballot on Aug. 7.
Meanwhile, the fire department continues to move forward with a proposal to replace one of its aging fire stations.
Hiking the TOT would also involve putting together a ballot measure. But that’s off the table, at least for now.
Scotts Valley was able to splash some dark green on the part of the file about the Housing Element. Unlike some peer communities in the Greater Bay Area neighborhood, Scotts Valley navigated the complicated process relatively seamlessly.
The City also quickly navigated the environmental remediation project to keep the Town Center project on the rails.
Scotts Valley secured a $1 million Community Grant from the feds toward the mixed-use development. The City also scored a $175,000 grant from the Monterey Bay group of governments it belongs to, called AMBAG, for pre-development work.
In another bright spot—and after the Covid-19 doldrums—the City graduated two classes from its Citizens Academy in recent months.
On the cultural front, the report noted that the City established contracts with sports leagues that are set up for annual renewals.
Meanwhile, the Performing Arts Center was used for some community events, but not the full allocation of days that was noted in the original agreement with the Scotts Valley Theater Guild.
“Opportunities to improve the facility were identified and are in discussion with the Scotts Valley Theater Guild who operates the space,” the report stated.
Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the 2024 Multicultural Fair was postponed. It’s been rescheduled to the fall.
The Community Grants Program was deemed a success, as $57,500 was awarded to nine nonprofits. However, one of the organizations did not fulfill its obligations, the report stated.
