June 8, 2026 - City Council Meeting

The City Council of San Leandro held a meeting on June 8, 2026, primarily focused on discussing the potential modernization of the city's business license tax structure. Staff presented an analysis comparing the current tax model with a gross receipts model similar to that recently adopted by Union City, highlighting potential revenue increases from approximately $6.7 million to nearly $9 million annually. The council reviewed extensive outreach efforts, fiscal challenges including unfunded liabilities, and the impact of the proposed tax on various business types, noting concerns about significant tax increases for large businesses such as car dealerships and manufacturers. Public comments from local business owners and associations expressed concerns about fairness, potential economic impacts, and the need for more time to refine the proposal. Council members generally agreed on the necessity of additional revenue but emphasized the importance of further study, stakeholder engagement, and mitigation measures to balance business retention and growth with fiscal needs. The council directed staff to continue analysis and prepare a draft ordinance for possible placement on the November 2026 ballot, with a follow-up discussion planned for July to address outstanding questions and potential modifications.