Montebello presents budget forum and survey results; residents prioritize streets, parks and public safety

City staff presented the results of three February community budget forums and an online survey that ran for four weeks. The outreach produced increased participation compared with prior years: roughly 120 attendees at in-person forums and about 361 survey submissions.

Staff summarized the five most-cited priorities: infrastructure and street maintenance (including a $23 million bond program for paving), cleanliness and nuisance enforcement, parks and recreation improvements (including restroom upgrades and playground repairs), public safety and traffic enforcement, and economic development to fill vacant storefronts.

Nut graf: The council formally received and filed the budget outreach summary; staff said the results will inform department budget requests and the development of program priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Director Salazar highlighted ongoing and planned work tied to the survey results, including a citywide paving bond program, nearly $1 million recently approved for restroom improvements, grants for illegal-dumping abatement, and outreach to attract businesses to vacant retail spaces. Council members thanked staff and voted to receive and file the presentation.

Ending: Staff will use the forum and survey results to guide budget planning and department proposals; council voted to receive and file the materials.