CULVER CITYCITY COUNCILStrategic PlanningRetreat SummaryApril 2026Facilitated by Gorman Partners, LLCSTRATEGIC PLANNINGRETREATSUMMARYEstablishing Shared Priorities · Strengthening AlignmentBuilding a Framework for Decision-Making RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS01020304Financial Summit05Priority-Based BudgetingReview of Strategic PrioritiesKPI Presentation & Turn the CurveEstablishing 2026 Priorities THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS1FinancialSummitEY assessment offiscal condition2Priority-BasedBudgetingFramework forresource alignment3ReviewPrioritiesAssessed 6 existing priority areas4KPIFrameworkTurn the Curve &community indicators5Dot VoteExerciseCouncil collectivelyidentified top 3 priorities and values62026Priorities SetThree priorities withperformance indicators FINANCIAL SUMMIT: KEY FINDINGSStructurally Unbalanced BudgetRecurring expenditures exceed revenues. Rising personnel costs, homelessness services, and deferred infrastructure drive the gap.Declining ReservesContingency Reserve projected to fall below the 30% policy target. Unassigned fund balance may be exhausted as early as FY26.Revenue Volatility & ConstraintsRevenues sensitive to economic shifts. Multiple voter-approved tax increases already in place; statutory limits restrict further increases.Rising ExpendituresExpenditures have grown at approximately 9.5% annually since FY20 compared to 6.5% revenue growth, driven primarily by personnel, pensions, healthcare, and expanded service demands.Growing WorkforceGeneral Government headcount increased by approximately 12% since FY20 while population remained flat, increasing long-term pension and benefit obligations.Persistent Long-Term DeficitsAcross pessimistic, baseline, and optimistic scenarios, the City faces continued deficits without corrective action.Fiscal vs. Service SolvencyWhile the City may remain fiscally solvent, current trends threaten the long-term sustainability of service levels.Underfunded Capital NeedsSignificant backlog of deferred maintenance and infrastructure investment needs. 2026 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES1Strengthen Long-TermFinancial Sustainability Responsible stewardship of public resources in the face of ongoing fiscal pressures. Stabilize the budget, diversify revenue, improve long-term financial planning, and increase public transparency. 2Invest in PublicInfrastructure & Community Spaces Safe, accessible, and well-maintained facilities support quality of life. Encompasses roads, sidewalks, parks, public buildings, and mobility systems across the community.3Enhance Overall Affordability &Address Housing & Homelessness Expand housing opportunities, strengthen coordinated services, address affordability and homelessness prevention, and support robust social safety systems for residents.
Cross-cutting implementation principles embedded in all priorities: Equity-centered planning · Data-driven decisions · Community engagement · Long-term sustainability · Accountability & measurable outcomes 1PRIORITY 1: STRENGTHEN LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITYF O C U S A R E A S• Stabilize and balance the budget while growing revenues through grants, partnerships, and diversified sources• Develop and maintain long-term financial plans with improved public transparency• Expand community participation in the budgeting process• Strengthen accountability and reporting systems; streamline programs for efficiency• Implement proactive liability management and responsible asset stewardshipEXAMPLE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSBudget stability and fiscal balanceRevenue growth and diversificationReduction in financial liabilitiesIncreased public understanding of budgetingImproved accountability and transparency 2PRIORITY 2: INVEST IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE & COMMUNITY SPACESF O C U S A R E A S• Maintain and improve roads, sidewalks, and transportation infrastructure• Invest in public parks, community spaces, and public buildings• Strengthen mobility systems — transit, pedestrian, and bicycle networks• Conduct comprehensive condition assessments and develop neighborhood-level infrastructure plans• Expand accessibility, reduce hazards, and communicate infrastructure plans transparently EXAMPLE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSImproved sidewalk & road condition ratingsIncreased accessibility metricsReduced infrastructure liabilities & risksIncreased public transit reliabilityImproved traffic flow and safetyIncreased usability of parks & community spacesIncreased tree canopy & green infrastructure 3PRIORITY 3: ENHANCE OVERALL AFFORDABILITY,ADDRESS HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESSF O C U S A R E A S• Expand access to affordable housing and strengthen homelessness prevention strategies• Maintain clean and safe public environments; increase access to mental health-supportive spaces• Ensure childcare and after-school programs support working families• Explore universal basic income pilots, right-to-counsel programs, and pro-housing designations• Ground decisions in data, comprehensive needs assessments, and community engagement EXAMPLE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSReduction in food insecurityReduction in number of unhoused residentsReduction in residents at risk of homelessnessIncreased prevention of housing insecurityIncrease in permanent housing placementsIncreased effectiveness of housing programsImproved feedback & program evaluation systems NEXT STEPS & MOVING FORWARD01Refine Key Performance IndicatorsRefine and operationalize KPIs with clear benchmarks, data sources, and timelines.02Integrate Community InputEnsure residents have meaningful opportunities to shape policies and programs aligned with the three priorities.03Align Departmental Efforts04Develop the FY 2026-2027 BudgetAllocate resources reflecting both fiscal realities and community values, grounded in Priority-Based Budgeting, and explore financing tools such as Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to support priority investments and reduce pressure on the General Fund.05City Council ApprovalCouncil meets to approve the final plan and establish mechanisms for ongoing progress review.06Ongoing Performance ReviewsRegular check-ins to assess performance data, maintain accountability, and adjust as needed.Translate strategic direction into operational steps with clear actions, responsible leads, and measurable outcomes.
April 2026Facilitated by Gorman Partners, LLCThank You