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Corona lays out fiscal 2026 priorities, doubles down on downtown revitalization and systems modernization
Summary
City staff presented a proposed set of fiscal year 2026 priorities that front-load downtown revitalization, solar and energy projects, traffic signal optimization using AI, and systems upgrades while noting cost overruns on a fire station project and the need to rely on fund and grant sources.
City staff presented a package of proposed priorities for fiscal year 2026 at the Corona City Council’s spring financial workshop, with downtown revitalization and systems modernization named as the administration’s top focuses.
Jacob Ellis, a city staff presenter, told the council the city is concentrating resources so “if everything’s a priority, nothing is,” and said staff will combine and sequence individual projects to reduce cost and accelerate delivery.
The dashboard of projects presented to the council groups work under six goals in the strategic plan. Top priorities include assembling funding for the Sixth Street downtown corridor revitalization, pursuing a solar field on a former landfill to generate revenue, completing an AI-enabled traffic signal optimization pilot, and replacing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Ellis said the solar initiative aims to finish vendor selection and interconnection and to be construction-ready late in the fiscal year, while the AI traffic signal project is expected to be in live testing by the end of 2025.
Why it matters: the city framed its FY26 program around the adopted multi-year strategic plan so budget decisions align with the stated community vision. Council members repeatedly asked for clearer revenue estimates and for staff to return with more precise cost-split scenarios for public–private solar options.
Key project notes from the presentation: - Downtown Sixth Street corridor: Council and staff described this as the singular focus for economic development, with multiple subprojects to be collapsed or combined for efficiency. - Solar revenue project: Staff said the city may lease the landfill property or pursue ownership; proposals from an RFP will determine revenue-split options and feasibility. Ellis said if the city funded and built the field itself it would retain 100% of revenue, but that may not be financially feasible in the near term. - AI traffic signal optimization: Live testing is targeted for late 2025; full operation is expected in FY26. - Fire station work: A proposed new fire station’s cost “came in significantly over” estimates, so staff said they are pivoting to renovate the existing structure and add a new storage building rather than proceed with the planned new build. - Asset management: Staff plans to complete an asset management plan in FY26 and flagged that the plan will likely reveal a sizable infrastructure funding gap. - ERP and digital government: Replacement of the city’s core financial and HR system will be a multi-year effort (staff estimated two years) intended to modernize payroll, procurement and online service delivery.
Council comment and process: Council members pressed staff on revenue assumptions for solar and on timelines for the innovation center and other downtown projects. Ellis said the city will seek council direction after proposals return from RFPs and after more detailed design and cost work is completed. The administration also asked council to signal any additions or removals from the priorities dashboard before staff finalizes FY26 work plans and the budget in June.
What happens next: Staff will incorporate feedback, publish refined work plans and return with the FY26 proposed budget for council consideration in May and for adoption in June. Ellis and other presenters said they will present more granular revenue and design assumptions as they become available.
