Seal Beach holds budget study session; staff outlines nine priorities for FY 2025–26

Seal Beach city staff on Thursday held a budget study session to solicit council guidance on draft goals and objectives that will shape the fiscal year 2025–26 budget. Interim City Manager Gallegos told attendees, “This is a study session, which is an informal gathering. This means that the council will not be taking any formal action or votes.”

The session, led by Finance Director Barbara Arenado, presented nine focused goals that staff said will guide departmental budget proposals and implementation over the coming year. Arenado said the goals grew from internal staff work that pared an initial 11 broad goals down to nine priorities after department and council input. Public budget workshops are scheduled for May 6 and May 8, with final budget adoption planned for June, staff said.

Why it matters: the study session frames how city resources may be allocated and where staff will direct project development, grant-seeking and possible budget trade-offs ahead of formal adoption.

Key items presented

- Public safety: Staff described funding set aside in the mid-year revitalization fund to update the automated license-plate reader program for parking enforcement; additional items include body-armor upgrades, defensive-tactics training,…