Jurupa Valley presents $160M citywide budget and $75M capital program, asks council for direction

Jurupa Valley’s finance director outlined the city’s proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget and a $75.3 million capital improvement program during a study session Wednesday evening, asking councilmembers for direction ahead of a June 4 adoption hearing. Finance Director Susan Paragas told the council the citywide budget totals roughly $160 million and that the General Fund shows operating revenues of about $69.8 million against near‑term expenditures of about $69.7 million.

Paragas said the city is proposing an administrative reorganization that creates a separate Elections division (previously bundled with the City Clerk’s office) and a maintenance division within Public Works. She told council that an accounting change will move approximately $1 million in previously unrecognized developer‑related revenues into general fund revenues, explaining the apparent increase in engineering fee revenues.

The presentation listed proposed personnel adjustments: elimination of 1.5 FTEs (one full‑time and one half‑time position), reclassifications for two employees, and a net request to add 2.5 FTEs, including an assistant city clerk position and a grant‑funded housing management aide (the latter funded in part by a three‑year grant). Paragas said staff is proposing a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment and a $100 per month increase to cafeteria plan contributions; salary increases would be brought forward in a June 4 resolution if council approves.

On public safety spending, Paragas estimated an increase tied to contracted sheriff services driven by county methodology changes; overall operating expenditures were characterized as roughly $5.5 million (8.5%) above the prior year. She also described proposed capital projects for the General Fund that include building improvements at the Avalon property, work at the senior center and information systems modernization, and replacement of a sheriff traffic motorcycle.

Paragas said the CIP totals about $75.3 million, with the bulk devoted to street improvements, bridge repairs, facility upgrades and traffic signals. She asked council whether to return the budget for adoption or to request revisions, noting that a public hearing and adoption are scheduled for June 4.

Council discussion focused on reserve policy and catastrophe planning: Paragas recommended considering a flat catastrophic reserve (for example, $500,000) to avoid having large committed reserves that would make FEMA ineligibility more likely during disaster reimbursement reviews. Councilmembers asked for further analysis on unintended consequences of reducing committed reserves, and staff agreed to return with a recommended minimum unassigned amount and follow‑up proposals.

Next steps: staff will incorporate feedback from tonight’s study session, finalize the public hearing materials, and present the ordinance and resolution for formal adoption at the June 4 council meeting.