The City of Sweetwater Commission approved the city’s final budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026, and voted to add $25,000 to create a Sweetwater Patriot Program that will distribute American flags and stands to residents who request them.

Mayor Sal Diaz described the budget as balanced and said it includes funding for elderly services, children’s programs, parks, police and other departments. Commissioner Yano proposed the flag-distribution program as a public-private partnership to provide flags and, where needed, installation assistance; he told the commission the initial allocation requested was $25,000. Commissioner Elias and Commissioner Rey expressed support during the discussion.

The commission voted to add $25,000 to the budget for the Sweetwater Patriot Program; the motion was seconded by Dustin Marshall Smith and passed on voice vote. Commissioners then approved the amended budget by roll-call vote.

Commissioner Murphy raised a separate finance suggestion: he asked whether some of the city’s reserves could be “prepaid” into the police pension fund to capture higher investment returns and reduce future pension costs. The commissioner said the pension returned about 34% last year and argued a prepayment could offset future contributions. The City Attorney advised that amending an adopted budget requires specific procedural steps if the vote had been closed; the attorney explained the votes needed to reopen and amend a previously adopted budget. The commission did not adopt a pension prepayment at the Sept. 22 meeting and directed staff to study the idea further.

The budget discussion included references to private-sector support for the patriot program and a plan to arrange a flag-replacement ceremony for worn flags; details on vendor partners, distribution logistics and timeline were not specified at the meeting.