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Antioch council trims budget deficit but residents warn cuts could hit youth and crisis teams
Summary
City staff presented a draft FY 2026–27 budget that reduces the projected deficit to about $4.78 million through $12.19 million in adjustments and freezes to some positions. Residents urged the council not to cut youth services and to sustain the Angelo Quinto crisis response team amid ongoing labor negotiations and grant reliance.
Acting City Manager Cortez and Finance Director Martin told the Antioch City Council on June 9 that staff had narrowed the draft FY 2026–27 general fund deficit to roughly $4.78 million after a series of reductions and revenue revisions.
The presentation said departments identified about $1.7 million of additional reductions since the May 26 review and that total budget adjustments for 2026–27 now total roughly $12.19 million. Staff also proposed freezing the assistant city engineer position for at least one year and increasing contracted engineering services to cover immediate needs. The report notes the draft budget currently assumes no general‑fund cost‑of‑living adjustments while some COLAs are already included in enterprise funds.
Why it matters: City leaders said the work narrows a previously larger gap but still leaves a structural deficit that will require continued concessions, revenue strategy and community priorities. Acting City Manager Cortez said staff will return with a final budget for adoption on June 23, and council members asked for a follow‑up discussion on an economic development plan to grow revenue.
Public reaction: Dozens of residents urged the council to avoid cutting programs they said protect vulnerable people. "We need housing units that are affordable in this city," one speaker said during public comment. Multiple speakers also warned against cutting the Angelo Quinto mental‑health crisis response team, which was largely funded by federal ARPA dollars and which Director Cabral said this council is working to sustain via a mix of short‑term funding and proposed general‑fund allocations. Director Cabral told the council staff currently projects about $408,000 of general‑fund support for six months in 2027, or roughly $816,000 annually in the 2027–28 projection, assuming some cost reductions and alternative funding can be found.
Council action and next steps: Council reached consensus to pause creating a centralized purchasing officer position until staff can return in August with cost estimates and class specifications. The council also directed staff to return with any additional budget refinements before the formal adoption hearing scheduled for June 23.
Budget context and limits: Finance Director Martin stressed much of the recent savings came from one‑time adjustments (frozen positions and timing) and one‑time revenue increases tied to recent building activity. He said staff’s estimates include tightening reserves that were previously projected to be drawn down; management warned some savings are not permanent and that the city must avoid recurring reliance on reserves.
The study session concluded with council and staff thanking department teams for the work on the draft and with the council agreeing to reconvene for the adoption hearing later this month.
