Norwalk adopts $304 million fiscal year budget, appoints EIFD authority; council tables Cosmont contract and approves public-safety camera trailers

The Norwalk City Council on June 17 adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related salary schedule, appointed members to the city's Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District public finance authority and approved a slate of consent items including a sewer service charge, an ordinance change for dog-license renewals and an extension of the Health on Wheels student medical services agreement. The council voted to pull one consent item'a proposed three-year contract for economic development services with Cosmont Companies'for a fuller presentation on July 1, and approved the purchase of three solar-powered Sentry Pro 3 camera trailers for public-safety deployment.

The adopted total city budget is approximately $304 million, with an operating budget of about $165 million. City staff told the council general fund ongoing revenues are about $78.7 million while operating expenditures and minor capital total about $79.3 million; staff said they plan to use limited reserves this year, including a $650,000 draw from the pension stabilization fund for CalPERS payments. Staff estimated an ending general fund balance of roughly $16.2 million if current assumptions hold. The budget document passed as Resolution No. 25-27; the council also adopted Resolution No. 25-28, amending the FY25-26 salary schedule for the general, hourly and management units.

Why it matters: the budget sets the city's spending priorities for services, public safety and capital projects. Council and staff repeatedly said public safety and street/traffic projects are top priorities; the proposed capital-improvement program includes roughly $135 million in projects carried over or planned, with 20 street/traffic projects highlighted.

Council members and staff described the budget as cautious given uncertain…