Priorities

Fiscal Responsibility

Foster City is at a critical juncture. Serious financial challenges threaten our city’s future.

We’re facing budget deficits this year and the years after if we don’t do something. And do something quickly. We’re faced with two choices moving forward: increase revenue and/or make cuts.

Richa's business background and experience in managing budgets provide her the ability to understand complex budget issues and evaluate various options to make the right decision.

Richa will continue to keep an intense focus on taxpayer dollars and expenditures

and foresight in every decision. She will monitor expenses and identify new revenue and monetization opportunities to ensure we remain financially solvent and sustainable over the coming decades while maintaining the services and quality of place we all enjoy in

Foster City.

Economic Development

Fiscal sustainability goes hand in hand with economic development and attracting new businesses to Foster City. Richa will advocate for favorable business policies, streamline permitting processes, and champion infrastructure improvements. She will use her

business and communications skills for outreach and dialogue to attract relevant

businesses to Foster City.

Infrastructure

Richa is committed to proactive infrastructure maintenance planning, setting aside funds,

and advocating for state and federal grants, and public-private partnerships for repairs.

Richa will advocate for a dredging plan for our lagoon to clean sedimentation and other contaminants to make our waterways safe for everyone.

Quality of Life and Public Safety

Richa is a proud resident of Foster City and strongly believe in preserving the quality of life. Richa understands that it takes strategic and creative thinking, hard work, and investment

to maintain the infrastructure, fire, police, parks, and open space that we have.

She is committed to keeping Foster City beautiful, safe, and welcoming for people of all

ages and demographics.

Smart Growth

Richa will use proactive communication to seek community input and buy-in for any

decision on land use. She believes in proactive land use planning and doing our part

to protect local control.

Traffic

Richa will continue to work with our surrounding communities and State and

Federal officials in creating and executing a feasible Action Plan including mass Transit for the East-West corridor, transit options for the last-mile commute to Caltrain,

comprehensive Citywide technical study of the roadway network to determine the capacity

to support future need and strategy to address commuter congestion better.

Education

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Richa is passionate about education and extremely driven to find creative ways to improve the quality of education. She believes that when it comes to the education of our children, we must do whatever it takes to ensure that we are imparting the best education possible to the next generation.

Richa will continue to maintain and enhance the relationships resulting in Foster City schools and children getting their fair share of opportunities via the right funding level and other measures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How will you address our budget deficit?

1) Cut wasteful spending. The city spends too much on things that don’t make sense.

2) Create revenue-generating opportunities by attracting business and services to Foster City.

3) I will leverage my 24 years of business executive experience to create effective solutions for economic development, small business revitalization, and supplemental revenue generation.

4) No new taxes on businesses and residents.

5) No reduction in city services and amenities.

6) I helped deliver the levee project on time and under budget. I will bring the same expertise to the Rec. Center rebuild.

How will you cut spending/costs?

1) Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Restructure: I will work to reprioritize our CIP projects to focus on critical infrastructure and maintenance needs, restructuring lower-priority projects as needed. This ensures resources are directed towards essential improvements without adding undue strain on the budget.

2) Avoid "Blue Sky" Budgeting: By grounding our budget in realistic expectations, I will eliminate overly optimistic projections that can lead to overspending. This approach will help us keep our fiscal planning disciplined, setting realistic goals for revenue and expenses.

3) In-Depth Review of Expenses: I will conduct a thorough review of all city expenditures, especially consulting and lobbying fees, to ensure each expense brings measurable returns. This includes examining what each consultant and lobbyist delivers in terms of outcomes and benefits, ensuring we only retain services with a clear return on investment (ROI).

4) Reducing Overtime Costs: Excessive overtime can drive up costs and lead to employee burnout. I will prioritize filling critical vacancies to alleviate the workload on current employees, reducing reliance on overtime, lowering costs, and improving staff well-being.

How will you generate supplemental revenue?

1) Public-Private Partnerships: Beyond just ingraining companies like Visa, Gilead, and Zoox in the community, I will look for specific collaborative projects, such as sponsorships for community events, co-branded public amenities (e.g., digital infrastructure, park renovations), and innovation grants to support local start-ups in tech, health, and sustainability. This partnership could include internship programs with local students and city internships to retain and grow local talent.

2) Support for Local Small Businesses: I will establish a "Small Business Success Program" that offers incentives and resources for growth, such as a simplified permitting process, marketing support, and guidance on transitioning to e-commerce. I will create regular community markets and events in collaboration with small business owners to increase their visibility and help build a strong local customer base.

3) Revitalize Strip Malls (Edgewater and OSH): Beyond aesthetic upgrades, I will explore adding experiential features to make these areas lifestyle hubs, with mixed-use spaces that combine retail, dining, and flexible workspaces. Including outdoor seating, play areas, and event spaces could help attract foot traffic, enhancing the retail experience and encouraging long-term growth.