Hemet mayor cites $67 million surplus, boosted police staffing and $30 million in street work in 2025 State of the City

Mayor Jackie Peterson used Hemet’s Nov. 6 State of the City address to summarize the city’s fiscal position, public-safety upgrades and recent infrastructure and economic-development activity.

“I’m proud to report that we closed last year’s fiscal year with $67,000,000 in general fund surplus revenue,” Mayor Jackie Peterson said during the address, calling the city’s improved reserves and investment earnings a foundation for new programs and capital work.

Why it matters: Peterson framed the surplus and investment earnings as the source of targeted spending on public safety, streets and incentives for local businesses, arguing those investments will support staffing, reduce crime and encourage private investment in Hemet.

Public safety and technology: Peterson said the city has expanded police staffing to 87 of 91 authorized sworn officers, its highest staffing level in more than 15 years, and will add motorcycle officers and a seven-day-a-week Active Engagement Response and Outreach team. She told the audience the city committed about $6,000,000 this year to new equipment and…