Southgate council reviews $9.4 million in cuts as residents plead to save pool and arts

Southgate officials on April 14 laid out proposed reductions totaling roughly $9.4 million — about 12% of the city's general fund — and asked the City Council how much of that burden should fall on programs residents say are central to daily life.

The council heard a detailed presentation from City Manager (speaker 12) and department directors showing department-by-department targets and a timeline that would make many cuts effective July 1 unless new revenue arrives. The city manager said the earliest a utility users tax (UUT) could appear on the ballot is November, and that revenues from a passed measure would not reach the city for months, leaving a multi-month funding gap.

Why it matters: the proposed reductions would affect services that residents and community organizations say promote safety, health and youth opportunity — from the Southgate Aquatic Center to the city's cultural arts division and youth sports programs — and would trigger layoffs of city staff.

City Manager (speaker 12) said the $9.4 million gap includes pension increases, rising insurance costs and other structural pressures that have developed over several years. "We don't have a way to generate more money starting July 1," he said, describing the UUT as an option that could allow the council to restore some services later.

Community development director Gabe Perez (speaker 19) walked the council through his department's proposed reductions, which include eliminating one of two building inspectors, freezing a senior planner position and cutting planning professional services. Perez warned that those changes would lengthen permit and planning timelines and could force discontinuation of the long-running presale inspection program unless fees are raised to cover cost.

Opposition and alternatives: more than 40 speakers during public comment urged the council to reconsider cuts to the pool, arts and youth programs. Lisa Ruiz, a parks commissioner, said the pool's swim instructors and year-round teams produce scholarships and community benefits. "There has to be another way," she said. Arts organizations and regional cultural leaders told the council the city's museum and cultural programs function as regional anchors and asked officials to pursue grants, sponsorships or partnerships rather than elimination of the cultural arts division.

Council reaction: members repeatedly described the choices as painful. Several urged continued work with staff to identify alternatives, partnerships and targeted restorations, while others said the council must adopt a base budget now so staff can complete required labor-notice timelines and other fiscal processes. Finance staff cautioned that using reserves to bridge the gap would quickly erode legally prudent fund balances and could trigger state attention.

What happens next: council members agreed to continue the meeting to Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. to give subcommittee members and staff time to assemble alternative reduction packages and to consider options such as one-time asset-based fixes, grant outreach, partnering with nonprofits and careful reprioritization. Any final layoffs or program eliminations would require formal notices under labor rules and additional council actions.

The council emphasized they did not take the decision lightly. "These are real people, these are real families that are impacted," the mayor said. The continued meeting will resume deliberations and staff will present detailed cost and timing estimates for any alternatives the council requests.