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Funding Sources The City of Pleasanton needs additional funding sources to meet their urban forestry goals. Currently, the allocated urban forestry fund ranges annually from $20,000 to $40,000 and is supplemented by the General Fund to cover the remaining majority (97%) of annual urban forest costs. Funding strategies may include incurring fees throughout urban forestry operations, partnering with local non-profit organizations and educational institutions, or neighboring entities such as Alameda County to address shared i ssues. Fees, Assessments, and Taxes Voter approved fees, assessment, or tax measures can be one method to generate the additional revenue needed for the care of the urban forest. The level of funding required varies with the selected strategy. Details regarding potential methods are found in Table E-1. Urban Forest Program and Tree Removal Permit Fees The City does not currently charge for tree removal permits. Associating a low cost with this permit review process can incur funding for the program. This strategy may also reduce the request for permit review, and protect more trees, as community members at times reconsider engaging in a permitting process when a fee is associated. When a tree is removed and there is no viable vacant site on the property of the removal, an in -lieu fee structure can be created. Private property owners that are unable to plant a mitigation tree can instead, contribute to an in-lieu bank. Once funds are in the in-lieu bank, fees should be allocated towards the urban forestry program. This funding can be used to plant new trees in the ‘right tree, right place’, on public land, decreasing costs for the City while providing a pathway for residents to contribute to the urban forestry program when their property does not allow for a mitigation tree. Municipal and Utility Partnerships Cities are often siloed in their operational practices. However, some cities take the initiative to identify departments addressing similar issues and explore if a partnership can be developed to most effectively use public resources. Collaborating with streets departments to cost share on repairing tree and infrastructure conflicts is one method. Other examples include hosting water wise events in partnership with water providers to educate the community on how to properly water trees and conserve water. Historically in California, utility providers have engaged in urban forestry by hosting tree giveaways of waterwise or native trees or providing rebates for native tree planting on private property. Energy providers often include in their engagement material, how the ‘right tree, in the right place’ can save residents on energy and heating costs throughout the year and have partnered with non-profit organizations and municipalities to enhance private tree planting for energy costs. Energy providers who remov e or top City trees to avoid a utility infrastructure conflict have been known to mitigate tree removal or topping by providing the City with a mitigation tree to plant on public land. If an agreement is reached, including a requirement that mitigation trees need to consider the potential mature stature of the removed tree, and therefore lost canopy cover. This exchange aims to mitigate this loss with a like- or larger-stature mitigation tree. Identifying entities that impact urban forestry in Pleasanton and approaching partnership discussions with the intent to reach creative solutions can be a method to increase resources for the urban forestry program and community members as a low-cost strategy for the City.