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Whittier City Council adopts $216 million 2025–26 budget; multiple resolutions and district assessments approved
Summary
Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 citywide budget and related authority budgets, approved HUD consolidated plan items, confirmed a lighting assessment and two parking-district assessments, and adopted several budget and administrative resolutions in roll-call votes.
The Whittier City Council on Tuesday adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 city budget and related financial resolutions, approving total citywide expenditures of about $216,000,000 and several companion actions including the housing authority and utility authority budgets.
Why it matters: The adopted budget sets operating and one-time spending priorities for the coming year, confirms city salary ranges, and includes reserve decisions the council reviewed during May’s budget study session. The council also approved federal grant spending plans required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
What the council approved: Director of Community Development Ben Punjetti told the council the consolidated documents (the five-year consolidated plan and the annual action plan) would authorize HUD-funded programs and that the city anticipates roughly $641,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and about $290,000 in HOME program funds for the coming period. Staff presented a proposed citywide operating budget of about $216 million and noted required disclosures under California Assembly Bill 2561.
On roll call, council members voted unanimously to adopt the budget and the associated resolutions. Council member Warner, Council member Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and Mayor Joe Vinatieri each voted “aye”; Council member Fernando Dutra was absent.
Quotes and fiscal context: The staff presentation listed total operating revenues supporting city functions and singled out general-fund reserves. The finance manager told council members the city’s available general fund balance represents roughly 46% of general-fund operating expenditures, well above the Government Finance Officers Association minimum recommendation. In discussion, council members confirmed that the adopted budget uses some of the city’s reserve (general fund balance) for one-time capital and program expenses the council directed during budget study sessions.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025-22 — Amend FY 2024–25 budget to accept library grant (~$8,000): adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-23 — Amend FY 2024–25 budget to add $359,629 for 7037 Bridal Avenue demolition: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-25 — Adopt FY 2025–26 city budget (citywide expenditures ~$216,000,000): adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-26 — Adopt annual appropriation limit for FY 2025–26: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-27 — Amend resolution 8865 to temporarily suspend historic-resource application fees: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - WHA 2025-01 — Whittier Housing Authority FY 2025–26 budget: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - WUA 2025-02 — Whittier Utility Authority FY 2025–26 budget: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-28 — Amend salary resolution for FY 2025–26 and rescind prior; updated ranges read into record: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Consolidated Plan / Annual Action Plan / Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (HUD) — Adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-29 — Confirm assessment & engineer’s report for Foxley Drive Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91: adopted (4–0; Dutra absent). - Resolution 2025-30 — Confirm assessment for Parking District No. 1 (Uptown): adopted (3–0; Mayor recused; Martinez/Warner/Pacheco aye). - Resolution 2025-31 — Confirm assessment for Parking District No. 2 (Uptown) and order levy: adopted (3–0; Mayor recused; Martinez/Warner/Pacheco aye).
Staff comments and follow-up: City Manager Tom McNamara and staff said they would post budget documents and AB 2561 vacancy disclosures online. Finance staff confirmed reserves and said the general-fund balance is sized to provide a cushion for emergencies; staff identified one-time projects that the council directed be funded from reserves.
Ending: With the votes the council finalized the spending plan and related administrative adjustments for the coming fiscal year. Council members did not take substantive new policy measures tied to immigration enforcement during the meeting; public commentators said they will continue organizing and seeking a council response in future meetings.
