Council reviews Measure I budget plan; staff proposes public-safety hires and $3 million for housing over two years as public calls for more funding

City Administrator staff presented the city administrator’s recommended two-year financial plan and the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget, telling the City Council that the first full year of Measure I revenue is projected at about $15.1 million for FY 2026 and $15.5 million for FY 2027.

The Measure I proposal shown to council would direct the bulk of the new sales-tax revenue to maintain existing services. Staff proposed funding 34 police positions, 19 firefighter positions, eight parks and recreation positions (including after-school support), and four librarian positions plus one library technician and expanded digital and security services. In addition, staff proposed two transfers each year of $1.5 million: one transfer to a housing/homeless services fund and one transfer to a newly created local housing trust fund intended for capital housing projects, giving council discretion over future appropriations.

City finance director Keith DeMartini and budget manager Natalia Glusack led the presentation and said the Measure I revenues free the city from having to make deeper cuts to core services. The proposal also included a reorganization that would move housing and human services and much of downtown parking into the city administrator’s office and add…