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Whittier council reviews FY 2026-27 budget projections, flags deficit and key revenue issues
Summary
Council members held a workshop on the FY 2026-27 estimated revenues and proposed expenditures, questioned staff on UAL payments, ARPA use, policing contracts and Measure W revenue projections, and asked for follow-up memos and a master plan timeline for Whittier Boulevard.
Mayor James Becerra and the Whittier City Council held a detailed workshop on the Fiscal Year 2026‑27 estimated revenues and proposed expenditures on May 5, 2026. Director of Finance Tram Pham presented the staff report and council members pressed staff on specific budget drivers including Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) payments, the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, five‑year projections and a projected deficit for FY 2026‑27.
Council members and staff discussed several discrete items that could affect the budget baseline. Staff answered questions about the initial payment tied to the Whittier Boulevard relinquishment, ongoing personnel costs and funding sources for projects on Whittier Boulevard, the policing contract with Santa Fe Springs, the potential use of interest earnings for one‑time purposes, a potential rebate program, and how Measure W revenues are expected to be applied. City Manager Conal McNamara and Deputy City Manager Kyle Cason joined Director Pham in responding to council inquiries.
The council reached consensus on multiple follow-ups: staff was directed to return with a timeline for a written master plan for the revitalization of Whittier Boulevard and to bring a discussion of budget memos at the next meeting. Directors from each department also summarized accomplishments, new projects and performance measures for council review during the workshop.
What happens next: staff will prepare the requested timeline and budget follow‑up materials for future council consideration; the council did not adopt a final budget on May 5, 2026.
