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Cerritos council narrows 2025–26 budget gap, approves series of revenue and expense moves including travel and event funding
Summary
Cerritos city council approved a package of revenue and spending adjustments and directed studies of utility and nonenterprise rates as part of a final budget push for fiscal 2025–26, and the council approved a trimmed $30,000 city contribution to host Ube Fest and a $5,500 travel transfer tied to an exploratory sister‑city engagement.
Cerritos city leaders spent a long session refining the proposed 2025–26 budget and on June 12 approved a set of revenue and expenditure changes, directed studies of rate adjustments, and adopted several related administrative actions.
Key votes and direction approved at the meeting included a package of revenue adjustments, steps to study and pursue changes in water and sewer cost recovery, authorization to begin a study of non‑enterprise fees (facility rentals, recreation fees and similar charges), and a series of event decisions including a council motion to host an annual Ube Fest in Cerritos with a $30,000 city budget contribution and to reimagine other signature events to boost local economic activity.
The council also approved a budget amendment that included a $5,500 travel allocation tied to international travel for a sister‑city exploratory trip; that amendment was placed on the consent calendar but pulled for discussion and ultimately approved by the council. Council members debated timing and optics before approving the travel allocation; critics in public comment called out the timing while backers said the goal was economic development and relationship building with Philippine officials.
Other formal votes during the study session included approval of vendor fees recovery (credit card processing fee recovery), direction to proceed with a water/sewer rate study and a study of nonenterprise rates, and multiple targeted expense adjustments and deferrals to close the near‑term gap the city reported. Several motions to reduce or reallocate event funding were approved; others were tabled for future meetings.
Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (excluding a pulled item): approved 5–0. - Appointment of Ethan Jones to Let Freedom Ring Committee (oath administered): approved 5–0. - Appointment of Alfred Reyes Jr. to Economic Development Commission: approved 5–0. - Item 7B2 (budget amendment including $5,500 transfer for international travel): approved after discussion, recorded vote 4–1. - Credit card processing fee recovery (revenue adjustment #1): passed 5–0. - Begin water and sewer rate study (revenue adjustments #2 & #3): passed 4–0 with 1 abstention. - Study of nonenterpise fees (revenue/expenditure study): passed 5–0. - Host Ube Fest with $30,000 city contribution (expenditure adjustment #10, reduced from staff estimate $50,000): approved 4–1. - Multiple event reimaginings (Festival of Friendship, Santa sleigh changes): approvals and reductions recorded (see motions below). - Not fund new request Quilts of Valor (expenditure adjustment #9): passed 5–0. - CCPA fundraising nonprofit/fiscal sponsorship (see separate article): approved 5–0.
What council members said Supporters said the package balances short‑term fiscal pressures while investing in economic development that could boost future revenues: "This is an investment," Council Member Mark Pulido said, citing federal funding wins tied to prior travel and advocacy as examples of return on investment. Mayor Pro Tem Linda Johnson emphasized the city's large Filipino‑American population and argued a Philippine sister‑city relationship and cultural events could boost tourism and local spending.
Opponents and public speakers raised optics concerns about travel and event funding while the council considers future cuts to community programs. Several public commenters urged redirecting available funds to street repairs, park maintenance and clearing homeless encampments.
Implementation and next steps Staff were directed to prepare rate‑study workplans, return with detailed implementation steps for water/sewer and nonenterprise rate changes, and bring back any items tabled (including one event funding question) for final budget adoption at the next meeting. The city manager committed to publishing a consolidated list of council direction and the net budget impact for final adoption.
Ending The council closed the study session with a series of motions that reduced the immediate budget shortfall through a mix of revenue moves, deferred projects and narrowed event funding. Additional budget adjustments and the final fiscal year 2025–26 budget will return for adoption at the next meeting.
