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Council hears draft 2026–27 budget, debates hiring a community development director
Summary
City staff presented the draft FY 2026–27 general fund budget (projected revenues $22.4M, projected expenditures ~$22.2M) and councilmembers questioned the timing and cost of creating a community development director role versus other priorities such as recreation, code enforcement and a community service officer.
City staff presented Lemon Groves draft FY 2026–27 general fund operating budget at the May 19 council meeting, outlining projected revenues, reserve levels and staffing proposals, and prompting council debate about whether to add a community development director position.
Interim City Manager opened the item and Finance Director Darlene Morrow Trouber presented the draft numbers: projected revenues and transfers of about $22.4 million, projected expenditures around $22.2 million, and a projected small surplus for 2026–27. Staff reported general-fund reserves of roughly $6.4 million, equating to near 29% of expenditures, above the citys 25% reserve policy.
The presentation also included proposed additions and changes: a $90,000 economic development study, $175,000 for a community development services director position (staff referenced a total compensation figure in the $223,000–$233,000 range during discussion), funding for sidewalk projects through Measure T, $25,000 for EMS training, and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment included for public-safety labor agreements.
Several council members questioned hiring a new community development director while the city operates with an interim city manager and limited planning staff. One council member urged that the city produce job descriptions for both the existing manager role and the proposed director so the council can understand distinct responsibilities before committing to a high-cost hire.
Public works staffing and retention also featured in public comment. Ricky Nunez, a public-works employee, asked council to consider an extra 3% pay increase (on top of the standard annual adjustment) to retain a fully staffed crew and noted the safety risks road crews face.
On staffing timelines, the interim city manager and sheriffs liaison said the community service officer position is in the hiring pipeline and could be onboarded within roughly 4–8 weeks. Council requested further analysis on the long-term personnel costs of multiple COLA scenarios (4%, 5%, 6%) and asked staff to provide job descriptions and a classification study related to the proposed director role before any hiring decision.
The council did not approve the director position during the May 19 hearing and asked staff for additional information to evaluate trade-offs between management additions and frontline service staffing.
