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Council postpones $1.2M in Measure T allocations, asks oversight committee for review
Summary
Lemon Grove council reviewed the Measure T 2026–27 spending plan, heard concerns about a proposed $1.2 million allocation (including potential funding for sheriff deputies), and directed staff to return the additional proposals to the Measure T oversight committee for further vetting before final approval.
The Lemon Grove City Council on May 19 reviewed the Measure T spending plan for fiscal year 2026–27 and agreed to postpone consideration of an additional $1.2 million in allocations until the Measure T oversight committee can weigh in.
Measure T oversight committee chair Corina Provos presented the committees recommended package, which the committee trimmed to approximately $4.719 million to fund sidewalks, deferred maintenance, equipment replacements and other projects. Provos told the council the committee and staff had tried to be conservative in the first year of Measure T revenues.
"We were all being very, very conservative and didn't want to overspend our revenue," said Finance Director Darlene Morrow Trouber in summarizing staff and committee proposals, noting a higher-than-expected revenue projection that created room for additional one-time items.
The committee flagged several items for discussion, including whether to purchase a replacement fire engine outright or to lease it over multiple years. "There is a lawsuit underway with a number of different fire truck manufacturers," the committee reported, raising legal and procurement questions. The citys fire chief told the council the antitrust litigation exists but, based on current knowledge, it should not prevent the city from acquiring a compatible apparatus when the purchase proceeds.
Several council members expressed support for Measure Ts core uses but urged caution about committing the additional $1.2 million without further public oversight. "I would encourage a very conservative approach to this," the Chair said, adding that the Measure T committee should review any proposed new allocations before council action.
Council direction: staff will return the $1.2 million proposal to the Measure T oversight committee for discussion, commit to a midyear revenue review with the committee, and bring committee recommendations back to council before June 2 for further consideration. The council also asked the city attorney to assess legal options related to the manufacturer litigation so the city could seek recovery if necessary.
The council did not take a final vote on the $1.2 million allocation at the May 19 meeting; discussion will resume after the oversight committee and staff report back.
