City Council will review a $31.3M budget amendment amid revenue shortfalls. Discussion of Riverside Transmission and Reliability Project alternatives has been removed from the agenda.
One of the most unexpected cruisers from last weekend's Show and Go. (Ken Crawford)
Monday Gazette: May 12, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday!
We survived the first week of six editions to your inboxes. Thanks for bearing with us as we work out the kinks and get this machine running smoothly.
Riverside has gone from “I wish there was more to do” to “I wish I had time to do it all” in the last several years. Please check our calendar for all the best events around town.
This Saturday, we have the Blue Zone Project Kickoff, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverside Municipal Airport. Also this Saturday is the Old Riverside Foundation Vintage Home Tour, an excellent opportunity to see inside some of the beautiful homes you drive or walk by every day.
City Council will review a $31.3M budget amendment amid revenue shortfalls. Discussion of Riverside Transmission and Reliability Project alternatives has been removed from the agenda.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
City Council
City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, May 13, at 3 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (agenda).
The agenda includes considering a $31.3 million proposed amendment to the City's budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year in preparation for a proposed public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. According to budget documents, key elements of the budget revision include:
Budget Caution: The proposed amendment maintains $210.68 million in General Fund reserves as City staff cite economic uncertainties in their fiscal planning.
Revenue Shortfalls: Budget documents show $2.5 million less in projected General Fund sales tax and $2.9 million less in Measure Z revenue, with additional declines forecast in property taxes and business licensing fees.
Personnel Expenses: The budget amendment includes an additional $6.8 million for General Fund personnel costs, with $2 million allocated for Fire Department overtime and $3 million for pension liability payments.
Budget Adjustments: The proposal includes reductions in park improvements, vehicle fleet purchases, and maintenance projects. The plan also draws $7.65 million from reserve funds to help cover expenses.
A previously scheduled presentation and discussion of lower voltage alternatives to the Riverside Transmission and Reliability Project has been removed from the agenda.
Board of Library Trustees
The Board of Library Trustees meets on Monday, May 12, at 5 p.m. (agenda) to consider a contract that expands the public library's e-book and audiobook collection while enabling students from local school districts to access these materials using their school IDs and reviewing updates to the Library's Materials Selection Policy that protect reader privacy, ensure diverse viewpoints are represented, and create clear procedures for community input about library materials.
Board of Public Utilities
The Board of Public Utilities meets on Monday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda) to review the City's Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment that confirms the ability to meet all projected water needs through local groundwater sources without requiring conservation measures or imported water purchases.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, May 14, at 3 p.m. (agenda) to hear an appeal from Courtyard by Marriott that challenges the City's determination that "comped" rooms should be taxed when they're used by hotel ownership and review pension management strategies that have saved the City $45 million through bond refinancing but still require additional funding as annual costs will increase 64% to $80 million by 2029.
Commission of the Deaf
The Commission of the Deaf meets on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.
Commission on Disabilities
The Commission on Disabilities meets on Thursday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.
State program offers paid community service positions while building career pathways amid federal cuts.
Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino CEO Carolyn Fajardo with Josh Fryday and Patricia Lock Dawson at Service Corps announcement. (Ken Crawford)
The California Service Corps is ramping up recruitment for paid community service positions across the state, including hundreds in the Inland Empire. This initiative comes as federal cuts threaten similar national programs.
Driving the news: Josh Fryday, CEO of California Service Corps and California Chief Service Officer, announced the expansion at a press conference held at Feeding America Riverside.
The program offers paid positions in tutoring, food bank operations, climate action, and other community services.
Why it matters: Participants gain college funding and career development opportunities while serving their communities.
Since 2023, the program has placed 144 fellows across 17 departments in Riverside city government alone.
The big picture: The initiative includes three distinct programs: • AmeriCorps California for adults • CaliforniansForAll College Corps for full-time students • California Climate Action Corps for emerging climate leaders
What they're saying: "We're not just making an impact today—we're making college more affordable, we're making job training more accessible, and we're building communities," Fryday said.
What's next: Despite federal funding cuts to national service programs, California remains committed to maintaining and expanding these opportunities.
Interested candidates can apply at CAServiceCorps.com.
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