Compton unveils proposed $83.7M general‑fund budget with boosts for public safety, streets and parks

City Manager Grooms presented the recommended FY2026–27 budget on May 26, telling the City Council staff proposes a general fund forecast of about $83.7 million for the coming year and asked the council to review the plan before a scheduled public hearing on June 9.

Budget officer Jimmy Smith walked the council through historical and projected revenue trends, saying general‑fund actuals rose from $58.4 million in 2022 to $76.5 million in 2024 and were forecast near $77.6 million for 2025; staff project the coming year at roughly $83.7 million. Smith and the city manager attributed the increase to stronger utility‑users tax receipts, rising vehicle license fee in‑lieu payments, modest property tax growth and an uptick in general sales tax and Measure P receipts.

The budget assigns a large share of new resources to public safety. Grooms said combined public‑safety costs — including the sheriff contract, the fire department and a new Public Safety Department — account for the largest portion of the plan. Staff reported the sheriff contract is currently budgeted at about $29.2 million and is projected at roughly $30.5 million next year; negotiators’ outcomes could drive further increases in subsequent years.

Councilmembers and staff also highlighted a proposed reclassification of a community‑improvement function into a Public Safety Department that boosts field staffing (from 65 to 77) and funds a $2 million crime‑analysis program to monitor the first phase of a citywide camera deployment. Mr. Ward, the city’s surveillance‑system lead, told the council the first phase includes 117 stationary Flock cameras to be installed in a trial period.

Street and sidewalk work were also emphasized. City engineer Jack Kong said the capital program anticipates phase‑by‑phase pavement work (phase 10 plans ~40 streets) and that staff would seek an additional roughly $5 million to add a Phase 11 of about 40 more streets if revenues are found. Public works said it requested $2 million specifically for sidewalk repairs and proposed increasing street‑maintenance staffing and equipment (staffing from 68 to 91 and an operating budget increase to about $29.7 million) to accelerate repairs and bring street sweeping in‑house.

Other department highlights in the proposal include water department CIP completion and ARPA‑funded tank farm work that must be closed out this year, growth in community development staffing (18→24), and recreation increases (60→74) to support extended aquatics programs and park projects. Recreation Director Brian Sprag said a project manager would help deliver park upgrades and oversee grant funds.

Councilmembers asked staff for additional documentation and clarifications — including an itemized list of streets covered by any street‑sign contract, a clearer accounting of any unallocated treasury balances and the staffing list underlying an unclassified‑employee salary schedule item. Grooms said staff would follow up with the controller and treasurer for firm numbers and return recommended changes at the June 9 public hearing.

The council did not adopt a final budget on May 26; the public hearing and final adoption process remain scheduled for June.