HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 15 2026 - Item 13.1 - Sandra Nava1
Stefan Mercer
From:s.nava <s.nava@charter.net>
Sent:Monday, June 15, 2026 7:51 AM
To:Public Comments
Subject:EXTERNAL - AFSCME Negotiations
Hello,
I am Sandra Nava. I am a Gilroy resident and have worked in the Housing Division for 21.5 year. I provide
resources and referrals to some of Gilroy's most vulnerable residents and oversee the CDBG grant
funded programs.
I urge the Council to consider the high cost of living in this county during negotiations. With an area
median income of $205,500, many AFSCME members earn incomes that qualify them as low-income.
I also ask Council to evaluate how many employees in tis bargaining unit are partially or fully funded by
non-General Fund funds. This factor should be taken into account when evaluating the actual burden of
COLAs and health care costs to the General Fund.
The proposed 2.5% COLA increase does not keep pace with the rising cost of housing, food, gas,
transportation, health care, and other everyday expenses we are facing.
Many employees cannot afford to live in Gilroy and opt to move farther away to lower cost areas,
which creates longer, more expensive commutes. This can result in recruitment and retention
challenges that can ultimately impact the quality and continuity of critical city services
I ask the Council to consider these realities when evaluating compensation and health costs during
negotiations. Competitive compensation is needed to retain experienced staff , preserve institutional
knowledge, and ensure the City can continue to deliver reliable and effective services to residents.
Thank you for your consideration and for all you do to make Gilroy a better place to live and work.
Respectfully,
Sandra Nava
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