Wednesday, December 17, 2025
5:30 PM
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
Conference Room 4A & Virtual Participation
Council Budget and Finance Committee
Agenda
December 17, 2025Council Budget and Finance
Committee
Agenda
NOTICE: The Council Budget and Finance Committee will hold a hybrid meeting in Conference Room 4A and virtually via Zoom.
How to submit written Public Comment:
Send an email to [email protected] by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of your email. Emails will be compiled into one file, distributed to the Council Budget and Finance Committee and City staff, and published on the City's Meeting & Agenda Center under Documents Received After Published Agenda. https://hayward.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx When submitting written comments, indicate in the email if you want your comment read into the record.
Requests will be allowed provided the reading will not exceed three (3) minutes consistent with the time limit for speakers at Council Committee meetings. Email comments will become part of the record of Council Committee meetings.The Chair can limit the time for reading written comments.
When: Dec 17, 2025 05:30 PM
Topic: Council Budget and Finance Committee - December 2025 Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/81776619546?pwd=MrCclfgok8KhznK2OxP1uEOyF2HOGJ.1 Webinar ID: 817 7661 9546
Password: Bdget@1217
Or join by phone:
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CALL TO ORDER
AB 2449 TELECONFERENCE NOTIFICATIONS AND CONSIDERATION
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Limited Only to Items on the Agenda and Submitted Prior to the Meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Review and Approve of the Council Budget and Finance
Committee September 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes
MIN 25-1321.
Attachments: Attachment I Minutes
December 17, 2025Council Budget and Finance
Committee
Agenda
Review and Approve of the Council Budget and Finance
Committee October 15, 2025, Meeting Minutes
MIN 25-1332.
Attachments: Attachment I Minutes
Report and Discussion of status of Fiscal Year 2025/26
budget activities (Oral Report)
Discuss February Update / Fiscal Sustainability Plan
(Oral Report)
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
3. 4.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting - 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2026
The City of Hayward's Open Data Portal was designed to allow the public to explore, visualize, and download publicly accessible data. The Open Data Portal allows a clear view of the City's financial performance. Access to the portal may be found at https://haywardca.opengov.com/CITY
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: MIN 25-132
DATE: December 17, 2025
TO: Council Budget and Finance Committee
FROM: Director of Finance
SUBJECT
Review and Approve of the Council Budget and Finance Committee September 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Budget and Finance Committee (CBFC) reviews and approves the September 17, 2025, CBFC meeting minutes.
SUMMARY
The CBFC held a meeting on September 17, 2025, and the draft minutes are attached for the CBFC’s review and approval.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I 09/17/2025 CBFC Meeting Minutes
CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 12/14/2025Page 1 of 1
powered by Legistar™
ATT ACHMENT I
COUNCIL BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2025
Call to Order: 5:31 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Salinas, Councilmember Bonilla Jr, Councilmember Syrop
Members Absent: None
Staff: Michael Lawson, Mary Thomas, Christina Crosby, Franchesca Hatfield, Nicholas Mullins, Crissy Mello
Guests: None
Public Comments: None
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from May 21, 2025
• Moved by Councilmember Bonilla Jr., Second by Councilmember Syrop.
Action: Minutes reviewed and unanimously approved.
2. Discuss Fall Budget Revision and Future Topics
• Acting Finance Director Thomas presented.
Councilmember Bonilla Jr. Questions:
A. Councilmember asked if staff could provide a report on the general fund on a monthly basis, along with revisiting the City’s policies and ordinances on business license tax, TOT and others to maximize the City’s revenue opportunities. The assessment should compare to surrounding cities.
B. Can we find a way to talk on a weekly basis to guide Council on how they can be useful in this type of budget situation?
• Yes, we’re limited in what we can discuss in closed sessions, but we can have a budget work session. I recommend a standing budget work session item, possibly before every Council Meeting.
C. Can we see Reserve balances monthly through the rest of the year? • Yes, you may see dips in Revenue, then increases for the months we receive large County and State payments. Council receives this report every year, monthly reports will appear a bit deceiving because of these payments.
D. How many vacancies are we holding?
• A vacancy list going out this week.
E. Do we have non-liquid assets in reserve?
• We have long-term receivables on the theatre and successor agency.
F. Do we show that long-term receivable in general fund balance? • It shows as non-spendable and is included in the annual ACFR report.
Councilmember Syrop Questions:
A. It would be helpful to have a 3-year projection on the budget. Are we aware of the County or State holding City funds? Does the County hold funds for a certain amount of time?
• The City’s main funds are in December and April from property tax that is paid in November. The County processes then returns it. The other funds that are held longer are reimbursements such as grants, OES Fire, and those can take up to a year and a half after we provide the necessary documentation. Our biggest general fund payment is property tax.
B. In agreement with Bonilla Jr., can we explore economic development’s ordinances for reassessment?
• This item will be coming to City Council next Tuesday as a work session where Council can provide feedback.
C. Can we receive clarity on the actuals, OT and revenue on a more regular basis to gain a better understanding on what direction the City is heading in?
• Yes, you’re going to see that a monthly revenue update will dip negatively because of the revenues coming in December and other months. It may be more useful to compare monthly revenue to the previous two years to gain a better grasp on how it normally appears.
The posting and dates received may also differ.
Councilmember Syrop emphasized the importance for the community to understand the fiscal position the City is in, and working together to resolve it, being as honest as possible without inspiring panic.
Mayor Salinas Questions:
A. Can we do some thinking around checks and balances in the future about making expenditures? What are some internal checks we can use when talking about salary raises, purchases, investments, etc. such as what guiding principles are used? Create a philosophy the City follows. • It would be great to see what’s already in place in terms of internal checks and can be changed. We can revisit our reserve policy.
B. Let’s name these principles. We don’t want to be in this position again. • It would be acceptable to give a quarterly report to Council to see expenditures in real time, refocusing to have the opportunity to see what is and isn’t working.
Councilmember Syrop asked that any financial reports be emailed to all of City Council and revisit the City’s Compaction philosophy to make the best decisions possible moving forward.
Action: The Committee received the report and provided direction.
3. Annual Review of City Issued Debt
• Acting Finance Director Thomas presented.
Councilmember Bonilla Jr. Questions:
A. Is our debt amount a relatively good number?
• It’s a relatively fine number considering it’s based on property assessment.
Councilmember Bonilla Jr. Questions:
A. Do you have the number of our property value?
• A: 32.8 billion
Action: The Committee reviewed the report and provided feedback.
Attorney Michael Lawson commented on compaction for executives and recommended we revisit the philosophy in comparison to industry standards. He also asked if there is an evaluation of Fleet purchasing policies in which Assistant City Manager Thomas replied is part of an analysis that will be available by end of October.
Committee Members/Staff Announcements: None.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: MIN 25-133
DATE: December 17, 2025
TO: Council Budget and Finance Committee
FROM: Director of Finance
SUBJECT
Review and Approve of the Council Budget and Finance Committee October 15, 2025, Meeting Minutes
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Budget and Finance Committee (CBFC) reviews and approves the October 15, 2025, CBFC meeting minutes.
SUMMARY
The CBFC held a meeting on October 15, 2025, and the draft minutes are attached for the CBFC’s review and approval.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I 10/15/2025 CBFC Meeting Minutes
CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 12/14/2025Page 1 of 1
powered by Legistar™
ATT ACHMENT I
COUNCIL BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting Minutes of October 15, 2025
Call to Order: 5:32 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Salinas, Councilmember Bonilla Jr, Councilmember Syrop
Members Absent: None
Staff: Mary Thomas, Franchesca Hatfield, Nicholas Mullins, Crissy Mello
Guests: None
Public Comments: None
Please note that this meeting was structured as a budget review work session with agenda items blending into each other.
1. 10-Year Budget to Actuals
Acting Finance Director Thomas presented.
Councilmember Bonilla Jr. Questions:
A. Councilmember asked for clarification on 2019 budget where the structural deficit began.
There was an over hiring of Firefighters because we were demolishing the training center and needed multiple academies before the demolition began to ensure training of the recruits. Then, Fire staff started retiring and OT increased. HPD budget has a more realistic budget as they run less OT than Fire. Fire minimum staffing is quite high in their contract vs Police.
B. How much will be transferred from Measure C into the General Fund? We will bring you a recommendation to do various things.
C. How concerned are we having spent the funds and the next budget cycle have the same problem?
Our ACFR audit lumps Measure C into the General Fund because it’s all General Fund assigned. We would be in a much worse situation if we didn’t have this. We cannot have a zero reserve with no unrestricted funds anywhere else. We cannot legally spend restricted funds on General Fund purposes. We need to have cash available for the first few months of the year than go negative.
D. Councilmember agreed with Mayor’s sentiment that using Measure C for the deficit should be structured as a loan.
E. What is the plan for the overspending in Fire? What do we think it’s going to be this year?
It’s trending downward. Police is also taking steps to reduce spending.
F. At 94% ratio, do we have the correct number of employees? That is a question we’re going to have to ask this year because with a $30 million structural deficit we must reduce costs someway. We’re asking our bargaining units to have this discussion.
G. I heard a city of our size should have 800-900 FTEs. Do you agree with that number?
It depends on the mix of services. It’s not easy to compare to other cities. I don’t have a number. We need to be realistic about the tax base in Hayward. What works in one city may not work with ours.
Councilmember Syrop Questions:
A. Councilmember stated how the closing of the Heart program has made him concerned of other services potentially being cut, such as the library hours if the deficit isn’t addressed immediately. Do we feel staff is aware of this?
This is a labor discussion. There are certain things we’re contractually obliged to and others we’re not such as the number of days the library is open, that is not contractual.
B. I’m trying to understand our roles as elected officials and encourage us to work together to find a solution. I’m wondering if staff understand the numbers?
We will have a discussion with each labor partner before we finalize the fall revise to make a case with labor groups to show there are no pots of money. Second, the E-Team is going to bring a list of proposals of things we recommend doing if we can’t find other ways to reduce costs.
C. Councilmember urged staff to accelerate next steps to determine root of the problem.
We will bring you a recommendation to balance this situation. We will bring all proposals and all will be able to see what those are. I’m’ waiting on all those balances from the cash analysis to see how much cash is restricted and how much is unrestricted.
Mayor Salinas questions:
A. 78% to 95% of the deficit is salaries. This is a significant piece in the story. Can we do some thinking around checks and balances in the future about making expenditures? What are some internal checks we can use when talking about salary raises, purchases, investments, etc. such as what guiding principles are used?
It would be great to see what’s already in place in terms of internal checks and can be changed. We can revisit our reserve policy.
B. Will all the other groups and Management see these tables? Yes, this is considered public information.
C. What is the industry standard for comparable salaries and benefits as a percentage of the budget?
It depends partly on the mix. We tend to be more expensive on staffing because we don’t have a Parks and Rec department, but we have both a Fire and Police department. For example, San Leandro has Parks and Rec but not a Fire department. This mix might change a little bit of the percentages. When you get over 80%, we get concerned about our ability to pay other expenses, capital improvements, fleet replacement etc. It’s fairly normal to be at 80%.
Action: The Committee received the report and provided direction.
2. Measure C Forecast
Acting Finance Director Thomas presented.
Councilmember Bonilla Jr. Questions:
A. Councilmember agreed any funds allocated to other areas of the budget from Measure C should be treated as a loan, even if it’s a longer-term loan of 21 years.
B. How do we control costs so it doesn’t have such a significant bleed over that impacts other parts of the City?
It’s tough to be in this situation. The hope is that we come out of this having policies in place to not go over percentages with new compensation plans and those types of things.
Councilmember Syrop Questions:
A. Councilmember agreed with the Committee that the City should review the City’s fiscal policies and set some benchmarks to recover from the deficit to gain a better idea when the City will be out of it.
B. Is there a reason why we’re bringing in less investment income? Our interest is not just in long-term investments but short-term investments.
C. Is there some way to liquidate some of the short term? All of the money is associated with a specific fund, but all our cash is pooled.
D. Have we maxed out on the UUT? Is there a range?
No, there isn’t a range, but we can look into it.
Mayor Salinas Questions:
A. Will there be a plan to payback Measure C of what we borrow? Certainly, if that is the direction Council wants to go in.
B. Mayor emphasized Measure C is for infrastructure and stressed the importance of paying back any funds borrowed from Measure C for salaries to help maintain community support for any potential future measures.
We will bring different options, and one will be structured as a loan.
C. Are labor groups looking at this data? Do they have access to this? We provided them with this spreadsheet. No one has asked for external access to MUNIS. Many employees all have access to this and can run an account inquiry.
D. Do we know when the data center will be online?
I do not, but I can provide an exact once I have it.
E. Is there a platform we can utilize to see all of the creative and innovative ideas that staff have on increasing revenue?
There was a staff survey. We can look at that and pull the list.
F. What is our business tax compared to other cities? Can we put that on the future agenda?
Yes
Action: The Committee received the report and provided direction.
Committee Members/Staff Announcements: None.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.