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City trims Compliance, Opportunity & Access budget; director says core services unchanged
Summary
The proposed FY 2026 budget reduces the Compliance Opportunity & Access (COA) budget by about $500,000 and eliminates two vacant positions, including an accessibility compliance specialist; the director told council the office can meet core performance metrics but will monitor capacity.
City officials presented a proposed reduction of approximately $500,000 to the Compliance Opportunity & Access (COA) budget for FY 2026, a cut that staff said would eliminate two vacant positions and right‑size several contracts.
Director Jennifer Mata told council the office manages the city's disability access and language access services, including American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation, and said the department remains able to meet its core performance measures despite the reductions. Mata said immigrant inclusion work is staffed by a single liaison who is developing a three‑year immigrant inclusion plan in consultation with community partners.
Council members pressed staff about capacity to meet likely increased demand for language and disability access services, citing changes in state legislative activity and community concerns. Mata said the department has been operating with vacancies for more than a year and has managed workloads within current staffing levels. She added COA will monitor performance metrics and reassess staffing if demand grows.
Council members also raised the accessibility compliance specialist position specifically; staff confirmed that the position has been vacant for over a year and that the department will continue monitoring service levels and community feedback. Staff offered to meet with community stakeholders who raised concerns about the changes to explain the adjustments and ongoing monitoring plans.
The council asked for more information on immigrant‑focused services and which city budget line funds local partners that provide legal assistance; staff said American Gateways receives funding through the delegate agency budget and that the current proposal would extend funding for eight months into FY 2026 in alignment with federal rules.
