City schedules community workshops for budget discussions amid fiscal concerns

The City of West Covina is gearing up for a significant budgetary shift, as officials announced a balanced budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year during the first community budget workshop held on May 29, 2025. Acting Finance Director Maria Louisa presented the proposed budget, highlighting a structural balance after previous deficits, with total expenditures estimated at over $156 million.

Key discussions centered around community priorities identified through a budget survey conducted from December to May, which revealed strong support for funding the police department, infrastructure improvements, and economic development initiatives. Louisa emphasized that the city is committed to addressing community concerns, stating, "Your concerns are not falling on deaf ears."

The proposed budget reflects a projected surplus of $768,000, a notable turnaround from earlier forecasts of a $1.1 million deficit. This positive shift is attributed to increased revenues, particularly from property and sales taxes, which remain the city's largest revenue sources. Property tax alone accounts for 76% of general fund revenues.

However, the budget also anticipates a rise in expenditures, primarily driven by increased salaries, benefits, and unfunded liabilities. The general fund expenditures are projected to exceed $82 million, marking an 8.4% increase from the previous year. Louisa noted that the majority of this increase is linked to public safety costs, particularly for police and fire services.

The city is set to present the proposed budget to the council on June 3, with an adoption scheduled for June 17, ahead of the new fiscal year starting July 1. This proactive approach aims to ensure that West Covina remains financially stable while addressing the pressing needs of its community.