West Covina acting city manager presents structurally balanced FY 2025–26 budget; pension, overtime and street‑sweeping costs draw public scrutiny

Acting City Manager Milan Marakovich presented the City of West Covina’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget at a public budget workshop, saying the plan is “structurally balanced” citywide while flagging growing pension and liability costs that are pressuring future budgets.

"My name is Milan Marakovich. I'm the acting city manager for the city of West Covina, and I took over just over 12 days ago," Marakovich said at the start of the workshop, noting staff scheduled three community budget workshops to respond to resident questions.

The presentation, delivered by budget staff, shows combined revenues for all funds of about $144.2 million and total expenditures excluding transfers of roughly $156.0 million. The general fund is identified as the largest fund at about $82.0 million (about 67% of the city’s budget). Staff described the proposed budget as structurally balanced for recurring revenue and recurring expenditures while using accumulated special‑revenue fund balances to fund certain capital needs.

Budget presenter Maria Luisa said the one‑year proposed budget differs from a five‑year long‑range financial forecast presented earlier and that a revised presentation would be posted on the city website. "I'm gonna go over the proposed budget for 2526, which is different from the financial forecast that was presented last month," she said, adding the packet includes a more…