[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6251777,"mediaKeyId","3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9","parentId",3193418,"title","Council divided on $100,000 staffing assessment; some members call it an investment, others question value","audioSeconds",527,"startMs",4469000,"endMs",4996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9&start=4469&end=4996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9/thumbnail_4469000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251777/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-divided-on-100000-staffing-assessment-some-members-call-it-an-investment-others-question-value","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251777-49a9aea0ac5d8f7674c22437f3256dde/orig.mp4?Expires=1772109209&Signature=DUnRaPYuKodIfKK17H3iHGcWv-DVWy0E5YyHZa~onriDA2kr0wWmBTPkQAVHKda-dxz1ND3i9gXbbk~u~Qzg9A7-FIDzNOSjRP2diBUiZVG4tMvZfcBA3bdZohsaUBQyPDi13KWu2K54rf~ggRacuRZvbARuCrtsvamk74l6qYVuzkd5x69RHhQIygBEass8yX1k7L1n~vhGJlfTqY~T0KKtDsPKcJ9tC0E~cCXyfg8t2kaYzmLfrsHXS-NTgAvfNoKwKRpq-1tG4zMU0JjC14~ypg3IktyRa3f7MvWw0HjKcVcEh47R8YJMZhnMFgSl2xhjRKShfIfsB5pejIiiSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of El Segundo CA","date","2025-05-06T00:13:40Z","article","El Segundo’s finance committee proposed a $100,000 third‑party staffing assessment to review citywide positions and organization structure; council members debated the merits and scope during the May 5 budget workshop.

Supporters framed the assessment as an investment in efficiency and long‑term planning. A council member who helped initiate the request said the assessment would provide “a global picture of what it looks like, maybe what it could potentially look like five years down the road,” and argued the review could identify both overstaffed and understaffed areas.

Opponents questioned whether a $100,000 external review would realistically deliver actionable savings when — staff and several council members said — pension growth is expected to drive long‑term expenditures regardless of short‑term headcount adjustments. One council member said bluntly, “I’m lost on this one, I’ll be honest,” and another warned that the city must be clear about what it would do if the consultant recommended adding positions as well as cutting them.

City staff proposed that if the council authorizes the assessment it will return to the finance committee with a detailed scope of work and that the scope would be reviewed by council before the RFP is released. City Manager Daryl and the finance director said the review would be scoped to prioritize cost‑savings opportunities and organization‑level tradeoffs rather than an open‑ended audit.

Ending: The council left the $100,000 staffing assessment as a line item under consideration and directed staff to develop a scope and return to the finance committee and council with a defined set of objectives and milestones before issuing an RFP.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council Meeting (Budget Study Session) - Monday, May, 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The finance committee recommended a $100,000 citywide staffing assessment to analyze organization structure and identify efficiencies; council members debated scope, expected savings and whether the review would produce actionable results.","taxTitle","El Segundo City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70907,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251782,"El Segundo council narrows police hiring plan; budget still includes seven new officer positions",1943,5718000,7661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9&start=5718&end=7661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9/thumbnail_5718000.jpg","/articles/6251782/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/El-Segundo-council-narrows-police-hiring-plan-budget-still-includes-seven-new-officer-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251782-14d80e50ea3c8cd154b9ad57ac02150c/orig.mp4?Expires=1772109209&Signature=XeA7qidDcAHFmm9uVOtxrHL3mdjDEZSUSTI-K5fAorG8V7rTmqsWFkC6QRHyoSHhM7B8agfaD2NS-eUYpuHMfRMyqiqnZd5XafHDO1fqvUe842RNDdMGROiiDDdS1mJgQ8s9hYwHXW-dcyvjNUJ4FdYurYCAPVlJP2kaSfTekloLQsxXxQVUU98-qcoAZ17ffhRQZn25xpPQCN7geupus9jEL1bJnkue6B6dACcQSOqZqcmOI-uZxitbkjn0otsoDpbumBTOwoUcxYuytYs-U~-qtkgsBP57PuwfTLZKchfH2kaXGnOvxw4GsxosFGeBxenxMUTmhuBjkBhehdIMog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Segundo City Council discussed police staffing levels at length during the May 5 budget study workshop and gave staff guidance to limit near‑term hiring while preserving flexibility for a candidate already in the hiring pipeline.

Staff’s proposed budget includes funding to add seven police officers next year. Chief Bermudez said the department’s staffing study recommended moving toward 72 sworn officers and told council, “72 would be optimal for us to operate efficiently,” but also explained the hiring timeline: new hires can take up to a year from recruitment through academy and field training before they are independent.

Council members raised concerns about the long‑term cost of adding officers — including salary, equipment and pension impacts — and whether the city can afford the higher headcount when the multi‑year forecast shows rising pension costs. During the workshop council participants sought a middle course: keep the adopted baseline headcount at 62 sworn officers but cap the budgeted number at a reduced level while allowing one candidate already deep in the background process to be hired.

City Manager Daryl summarized the direction given at the workshop: staff will present the proposed budget assuming 67 budgeted sworn officers, with a narrow administrative exception to reach 68 if the pending candidate accepts. Paul said he will incorporate that direction when the budget returns for adoption June 3.

The CFO told the council that the personnel and benefit cost for adding the officers is a key budget driver and that retirement and benefit costs — including the $2.9 million UAL payment — are material contributors to future expenditure growth.

Ending: The council stopped short of fully authorizing the department’s request to fund up to 72 sworn officers, instead instructing staff to reflect a modestly lower budgeted headcount for the coming fiscal year while preserving limited flexibility for an exceptional hire in the pipeline.","Council members and the police chief debated a proposed increase in sworn staffing. The draft budget includes seven officer positions, but the council asked staff to adopt a budget cap of 67 sworn officers with a limited exception for a candidate in the hiring pipeline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251788,"Plunge costs grow; council told $1.8M raised of $5M goal and tile change order may add $800,000",7983,3126000,11109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9&start=3126&end=11109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6251788/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Plunge-costs-grow-council-told-18M-raised-of-5M-goal-and-tile-change-order-may-add-800000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251788-fbb10dede89f6bde600390459eec7c5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1772109209&Signature=VLdh97ZT2VpQ5PQPAU8cmOHCf~DHfMdyd-Lk4zieVGrsnpedPGgUCa9h5NQwaaTxPDEgtZ0q2p6SJmLUZFCHoxQzarUbmwQrTaJvPwgWfUgQseXvTlQQlOUtbTeT-3oqwFckt2HC8f~onmm0qO2OkLuqKJPjta3LpIblJhfhykLnONHcKRvdlwojBmzQsbA~VkDLfGwzg83Vds3hr43IFOSMlJ7-V0pRqedUg-Z8TelrU8oQvs4W1U6XUC8OwnPcTtvScRlcRdpnJk7uOSQqc9d6IRjdWwEy9ti1B6DbzfJGoMVPH8omx4iw08Zyskb8Sp3ZtcdNwpayIcr8mWSDGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Segundo’s new plunge aquatic facility remains under construction with staff reporting progress but also mounting costs and fundraising shortfalls at the May 5 budget study workshop.

Council subcommittee members and staff told the council the project is on track for a construction finish late in the year but that the project already has about $800,000 in change orders and that replacing pool tile could cost another estimated $800,000. Council member Boyle told colleagues: “We are already at $800,000 in change orders. . . . To replace the tile is another $800,000 of costs.”

The budget packet includes a $1,000,000 request in the 2025–26 capital program intended to cover remaining construction risks. Staff said the general fund has already loaned $5 million to the project pending fundraising, and Recreation staff reported the fundraising goal of $5 million is far from complete: “to date, I think it’s 1.8 [million],” a council member said during the meeting.

Staff told the council construction activities were progressing — work on pool plumbing, framing, HVAC and interior finishes was under way — and that final completion remains targeted for the end of the calendar year. Elias, the public‑works representative, described current contractor work on locker rooms, pool plumbing and pool finishes and said the project’s critical‑path items include the tile and pool finishes.

Council members pressed staff for more detail on contingency and fundraising milestones. One council member asked staff to present a clear fundraising schedule and milestones so the council can see at what points the city should expect private funds to cover the outstanding loan. City Manager Daryl said staff would return with more complete fundraising progress and would reflect any additional change orders before the budget adoption vote.

Ending: The council faces a choice: increase city contingency to close construction gaps or expect the community fundraising to accelerate. Staff will return to council with updated change‑order amounts, tile replacement analysis and fundraising milestones ahead of the June 3 budget adoption meeting.","Council members and staff warned at the May 5 workshop that the new plunge aquatic facility has accumulated roughly $800,000 in change orders and fundraising has raised about $1.8 million of a $5 million target, prompting requests for added contingency in the 2025–26 budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251793,"El Segundo officials present balanced $220 million budget, warn of pension-driven structural deficit within three years",2138,526000,2664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9&start=526&end=2664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193418-005759dc8cc595a14d8785af38c68dd9/thumbnail_526000.jpg","/articles/6251793/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/El-Segundo-officials-present-balanced-220-million-budget-warn-of-pension-driven-structural-deficit-within-three-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251793-4af4ef1721c7fbc29505d55856bc24ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1772109209&Signature=c1dZAtUsB0kaq3bom7lSda1U1iCAANYpXSzeQgCbDsZZSdo4zrXWecy1onfSp1v5zwed5HwXSw8YVGWL4364y14ltEZsdg9pZxjuY~~Xwj6OI~17C9aTP9W1dGIFqvQkifJmoA40JYSLRg2n5syORLwQEtG-GzoBlXd85BEHi5b8Zq2lvtFZDIvcggPuY9YdC56FefI8NL5U0cciPc~kd2898LGPJW3OEOq7m2VDWihyiXGBjlZDhgQ4sMtZkUzQFVEqU5n978L771fiqW9-uK35nMIN0afNxE7AFQ9NXTshCXdY-yzxdLoAoP714MESdeilfF~vBbh~fy7fAwvqlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Segundo City Manager Daryl and Chief Financial Officer Paul presented a proposed $219 million-plus budget at the May 5 budget study workshop that city staff described as balanced for 2025–26 but vulnerable later in the forecast period due to pension costs and capital needs.

Paul, the city’s finance director, told the council the budget presented “a balanced budget tonight,” while warning that his multi‑year forecast shows an operating shortfall beginning in year three. He told the council staff modeled a scenario in which revenues grow modestly while expenditures — driven in part by pension obligations — grow faster.

The nut graf: the budget keeps the city’s reserve at 25% (about $24.9 million) and includes the planned $2.9 million unfunded accrued liability (UAL) payment to CalPERS for the coming year, funding for 7 new police officer positions and six months of operations and staffing for the new plunge aquatic facility. Those line items, staff said, together are the primary upward pressure on next year’s spending.

Staff gave the following top‑level figures: total proposed all‑fund appropriations of about $219,080,572 and a general fund baseline near $104 million. The plan includes roughly $5.2 million of general‑fund capital projects for 2025–26. Paul said the budget assumes flat revenues for the coming year and emphasized a conservative revenue outlook: “We did not project any significant revenue increases in this budget.”

Pension liabilities figure prominently in the forecast. Paul told the council the $2.9 million UAL payment is included for next year and said pensions could rise further depending on CalPERS investment performance. He summarized the long‑term sensitivity: even without new hiring, pension costs could push operating expenditures higher and eventually outpace revenues.

Council members and staff also discussed other drivers and offsets: low city debt and a past pension obligation bond that the city locked in at a favorable rate, diversified revenue sources including a large Chevron Tax Revenue Agreement (TRA) payment, and the city’s forecast that property tax growth will remain capped by Proposition 13 rules. Paul said the city’s diversified revenue mix helps “shelter us” from sharp downturns but is not a complete shield.

On reserves and contingency, staff noted the city is keeping the economic uncertainty reserve intact at $2 million even though overall reserves are higher than in past years. Several council members questioned whether that separate $2 million account is still necessary now that the reserve target is 25%.

Staff will return with a final proposed budget for adoption June 3. Paul told the council he would reflect any policy changes discussed at the workshop when the budget comes back for adoption.

Ending: The finance presentation focused on maintaining service levels while calling attention to growing long‑term pension obligations and capital needs; city staff urged the council to consider revenue options or other long‑term measures as forecasts show a structural gap forming within a few years.","City staff proposed a balanced $220 million budget for fiscal 2025–26 that keeps a 25% reserve but forecasts an operating gap in about three years driven largely by rising pension costs and capital spending needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council divided on $100,000 staffing assessment; some members call it an investment, others question value

El Segundo council narrows police hiring plan; budget still includes seven new officer positions

Plunge costs grow; council told $1.8M raised of $5M goal and tile change order may add $800,000

El Segundo officials present balanced $220 million budget, warn of pension-driven structural deficit within three years