Ontario council adopts FY budget and five-year CIP, adds funding for traffic enforcement and park planning

The Ontario City Council voted to adopt the city's fiscal-year budget and five-year capital improvement plan after a detailed presentation and public comment. The adopted package includes a general fund near $481 million and a total proposed budget of about $1.22 billion; staff described a five-year capital program of approximately $2.2 billion. The motion to adopt the budget included council direction to add $350,000 for police traffic-enforcement efforts and $250,000 for engineering-specific traffic-calming and park-planning work in the northeast portion of the city. Council approved the budget by voice vote.

City Manager Scott Ochoa opened the presentation by describing the city's revenue mix and capital priorities. "Overall, there's about $223,800,000 appropriation for the coming year across all different city funds," he said in an overview that emphasized balancing quality-of-life investments with projects that generate revenue. He noted that the total capital plan is large and the city is managing both constrained and unconstrained project lists.

Staff highlighted a target undesignated general-fund reserve of 20% (with a long-term goal of 25%) and noted that public safety comprised the largest portion of the operating budget. The manager said measure Q proceeds and other financing sources are being used to support debt service for many capital projects; he also noted the administration's ongoing review of project phasing and cash flow.

Public commenters and council members pressed staff for clarity on several points: Chris Robles asked for reconciled numbers and fuller reporting on Measure I/Q cash flows and sports-venue costs; council members queried department heads about museum visitation, part-time staffing levels, police swift-water rescue training, and the timing of substations and facilities for the new entertainment district.

On traffic and public-safety questions, Chief Lopez said the department has increased speeding citations and has explored technology to augment enforcement: "In 2024 we did 716 speeding citations and just last year we went up ... to 937 total," he said, and reported a reduction in fatalities from 19 to 12 year-over-year in his accident tracking. Council members urged a combined approach of enforcement, technology and infrastructure; staff noted restrictions on how certain restricted funds (including asset-seizure proceeds) can be used and agreed to return with program designs and potential funding options.

The council directed staff to appropriate $350,000 for an initial traffic-enforcement program and $250,000 for engineering/park planning from available reserves and programmed funds, with staff to return with specifics and quarterly budget updates. The council also asked for more robust reporting on Measure Q and requested reconciliation of a handful of numbers flagged by commenters before finalizing some project details.

The council adjourned after approving the budget; the city manager and staff will return with requested reconciliations, a possible phased implementation plan for fee changes and proposed program-level details for the traffic-enforcement pilot.