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Compton officials present $287.2 million FY2026–27 budget; $48.3 million proposed to reduce unfunded pension liability
Summary
Budget officer Jimmy Smith presented a proposed $287.2 million all‑funds budget that increases public‑safety staffing and proposes a $48.3 million non‑departmental allocation to address CalPERS liabilities; council asked staff for follow‑up analyses on sheriff service levels, animal control contracting and street pavement funding.
Jimmy Smith, the city’s budget officer, told the City Council on June 16 that the proposed fiscal‑year 2026–27 budget totals about $287.2 million across all funds. “The projected budget is about to be 287,000,000,” Smith said, and he outlined the funding mix: approximately $86 million supported by the general fund, $46.9 million from a retirement fund and $131 million to cover the remaining programs.
The presentation highlighted major planned investments: about $65.4 million for public‑works engineering and street maintenance; roughly $72 million for public‑safety spending including $30.5 million for the sheriff contract; and a roughly $48.3 million non‑departmental allocation identified to address the city’s unfunded pension liability with CalPERS. “We plan to have CalPERS come out and make present you guys options on how we can address the unfunded liability…at minimum, we’ll be doubling our payments,” Smith said.
Councilmembers pressed staff for service‑level detail tied to contract spending. One councilmember asked whether outsourcing in areas such as animal control delivers sufficient service for the money paid; Smith said a county‑run contract has escalated costs and pledged to commission cost and service analyses and to invite county animal‑control representatives to answer council questions. Several members also raised concerns about traffic enforcement and asked staff to consider more motor officers and commercial‑vehicle enforcement.
On pensions, Smith said the $48.3 million figure in the proposed budget reflects current revenue projections and that the administration will bring CalPERS options to the council in the first quarter (around September) so the council can evaluate structural options such as a pension trust or other mechanisms.
The budget materials also detail investment in water‑system repairs funded partly by ARPA. Water‑department work includes well rehabilitation, disinfection storage upgrades and a tank‑farm project that staff said is about 80–90% complete; remaining funding includes a small balance for the SCADA environmental‑assessment work.
Why it matters: The budget frames the city’s fiscal priorities for the coming year and ties large capital investments to street repairs, water infrastructure and public safety while signaling a multi‑year effort to reduce pension costs. Councilmembers requested additional reporting and a cost‑analysis on whether bringing animal control in‑house would save money or create jobs, along with clearer service metrics from the sheriff’s contract.
Next steps: Staff said the council will review any changes and return the budget for adoption on next week’s agenda.
