CITY COUNCIL BUDGET PRESENTATION
FY 25-26 & 26-27
PRESENTED BY: TERESA VARGAS, GOVERNMENT
SERVICES DIRECTOR & CITY CLERK
JUNE 23, 2025
CITY COUNCIL
Stephen Dresser,
Councilmember
Diane Lazard,
Councilmember
Paul Akinjo,
Mayor
Minnie Diallo,
Councilmember
Jennifer Torres-O’Callaghan,
Vice Mayor
Organization
Chart
Lathrop City Council Group Photo
CELEBRATED 35 YEARS OF INCORPORATION ON
JULY 1, 2024
Overview
City Council, the elected body, adopts legislation, sets policy, adjudicates issues, and establishes the budget.
Enacts and enforces ordinances and regulations that concern municipal affairs, subject only to the limitations and restrictions of the State Constitution.
City Council, as a body, supervises and provides guidance for the activities of the City through the Council-City Manager Form of Government.
At the recommendation of the Mayor, the City Council approves appointments to the Planning, Parks and Recreation, Senior Advisory and Youth Advisory Commissions, and Measure C Oversight Committee.
Annually, the Mayor assigns Council Members to various regional boards, committees and stakeholder groups to represent the interests of the City of Lathrop and its constituents.
Councilmembers also participate in nonpartisan organizations / caucus groups of their choice.
Overview continued
As the governing body, the City Council conducts business and governs in a manner that is responsive to the needs and concerns of the city and its constituents.
Council works diligently towards solutions and policies that promote smart business development, strong community values, maintains financial solvency, and public safety, all intended for the continued development of a sustainable future for the City of Lathrop.
Financial
Solvency
Business
Development
Community
Values Public Safety
Sustainable
Future
Accomplishments
Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25 resulted in a period of successful continued growth and prosperous business opportunities.
The City Council attended various educational opportunities, provided by the League of California Cities (CalCities), National League of Cities (NLC), U.S. Conference of Mayors, Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL), Women in Municipal Government (WIMG), and many more.
Regional advocacy trips to Washington D.C. to promote and lobby for projects benefiting the City of Lathrop and the San Joaquin Region.
Increased public safety by adding staff and critical infrastructure, such as surveillance systems in city parks and public streets and roads.
Accepted approximately 60 projects from July 1, 2023 – June 9, 2025, which included public improvement acceptances, such as new and improved utility infrastructure, road and street improvements, parks improvements, and technology infrastructure all to support existing and new industrial, commercial and residential areas Accomplishments continued
Approved the creation of approximately 35 Capital Improvement Projects during FYs 23-24 & 24-25, from July 1, 2023, to April 2025.
Approximately, 68 improvement projects going into the new FY 25-26 budget.
Approved approximately 220 contracts, agreements and other contractual documents, some of which included various fee waivers, final maps, traffic calming improvements on major arterials, intersections with high traffic volumes and school zone areas, various streetlight and landscaping projects in areas in need of revitalization and commonly used pedestrian areas, and other special projects.
Adopted 21 City Ordinances codified in the Lathrop Municipal Code Significant Changes
Fund /
Division
FY 24-25
Adopted
Budget
FY 25-26
Proposed
Budget
FY 26-27
Proposed
Budget
FY 24-25 to
25-26 Comparison
*Increase/ (Decrease)
Explanation
1010-GF
Personnel
Services
$184,080 $265,106 $269,925 $81,026 Effective March 25, 2024, City contributes up to a maximum of $2,525 per month for Health Insurance
(medical, dental, and vision) for Councilmembers and
eligible dependents, a maximum of $30,300 per
calendar year. Effective December 2024, Council
Compensation increased to $1,275 from $300 (per GC
36516). This amount shows the prorated costs from
adoption to end of FY.
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Material,
Supplies &
Small
Equipment
$10,550 $7,500 $7,500 ($3,050) Last FY, the City hosted a special ceremony honoring former Mayor Dhaliwal, this budget proposes a
reduction in materials and supplies as staff does not
anticipate a similar event.
1010–GF
Dues,
Subscription,
Training &
Travel
$92,300 $88,730 $112,730 ($3,570) For FYs 25-26 & 26-27, the City's subscription to the Annual League of California Cities Membership Dues,
which was approximately $15,000 for FY 24-25, was
moved to the City Manager subscriptions, Training and
Travel budget. The Membership Due is also set to
increase in the new budget, as the City’s population
grows.
Questions?
CITY MANAGER
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET PRESENTATION
FY 25-26 & 26-27
PRESENTED BY: DEPUTY CITY MANAGER,
THOMAS HEDEGARD
JUNE 23, 2025
Organization Chart
Overview
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Lathrop, and provides management of the city’s day-to-day operations, programs, projects, and economic development.
Responsible for the daily administration and leadership of the City’s Operations.
Provides policy recommendations and strategic leadership that provides for the effective implementation of the City Council’s adopted projects and priorities.
The City Manager also serves as the City’s primary public liaison to all community stakeholders as well as intergovernmental relations with local, regional, State, Federal, and international governments.
Overview (continued)
General Administration
• Legislative & Public Affairs
• Project Management
• Community Relations &
Regional Advocacy
• Primary Liaison to other
Agencies
• Personnel Management
and Labor Relations
Emergency Services
• Emergency Planning and
Management
• Flood Protection and
Planning
Economic Development
• Economic Development
Administration
• Business Development,
Promotion and Retention
• CIP Priority Planning
•Utility Expansion to
Promote Sustainable
Development
Accomplishments
Sustainable Budgeting. The City continuously monitors both revenues and expenditures in all funds and maintains the City’s 10-year model intended to keep the City on the path toward longterm sustainability. The long-term focus has been on maintaining a stable budget and strategically investing the City’s resources to keep our community safe, investing in our future, and maximizing efficiency and productivity. Over the years, the City has put forth a significant amount of effort, time and funding towards projects that result in the city’s strong fiscal and social health.
Interdepartmental Guidance and Support. The City Manager’s office is mainly comprised of senior level employees with extensive institutional knowledge that assist the departments in strategic planning, policy implementation, project management, and prudent leadership and direction concerning organizational decisions to efficiently provide the highest quality of public services. The last two fiscal years (FY 23-24 and 24-25) yielded many fruitful projects and expanded the City’s level of services for our residents.
Stable Growth and Sustainable Future. The City Manager’s office, with the support and assistance of all City Departments, has worked tirelessly over the last thirteen years to position the city in a manner that is fiscally healthy and sustainable to support the steady growth and maintain high levels of quality services to our community. A nod to the collaborate work throughout the City is the recognition of the City of Lathrop as one of the fastest growing cities in California by the State Department of Finance.
◦ Lathrop’s population as of January 1, 2025, reported by the State of California Department of Finance, is 38,596 which represents a 4.0% growth from 2024.
City Growth
Lathrop is experiencing a pivotal moment in its history. In May 2024, the U.S.
Census Bureau recognized Lathrop as the fifth fastest-growing city in the nation among cities with populations over 20,000, citing a 13.6% population increase between July 2022 and July 2023. This distinction affirms what residents have long known: Lathrop is the premier destination in the Central Valley for families to live and thrive.
Goals
The City’s focus for Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27 is to continue to promote the following four (4) objectives important to the continued success of the City of Lathrop. These objectives have been the foundation over the past several years and have significantly and successfully improved our community’s financial and social health:
Managing city functions using sound business principles. Being a well-run city is due in large part to our history of thoughtful, long-range financial planning. For the 27th consecutive year, Lathrop has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY ending June 30, 2024. This certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting by the Government Finance Officers Association.
We are a full service city that strives to be proactive and responsive to our community’s needs and that depends upon strong partnerships. Our ongoing focus is to maintain a balanced budget and continue to focus on maintaining high-quality service levels.
Providing exceptional service. As important as achieving fiscal stability, and strengthening our relationships and partnerships, is providing exceptional service to our community. The most important asset the City has is its staff. Therefore, over the years our staff has become increasingly customer-oriented, delivering better and more cost effective services to our residents, businesses and development community. The City will continue its focus on providing exceptional service to our residents, businesses and development community. City staff proudly strives to continue our commitment to excellent customer service and implement processes that improve our timeliness, work quality and responsiveness, while focusing on efficiency and productivity.
Goals (continued)
Deliver sustainable development. We all know that the world has changed significantly in the almost twenty-one years since most of Lathrop’s development was entitled. Development has become much more costconscious, much more difficult to finance, and much more defined by near term market realities and supply chain challenges. While economic conditions have slightly declined nationally, the City of Lathrop is experiencing stable housing development with firm price values, stable property tax, increasing sales tax revenues, consistent optimism from our local businesses and development community, and significant interest from commercial, industrial and even residential developers. The goal is to continue to provide enhanced services, competitive home pricing, and improved quality of life for current and new residents and businesses.
Infrastructure. A key component of assisting with economic development is to be prepared and ready for ongoing shifts in the economy. The City Manager’s top priorities will continue to explore cost efficient options for utilities, programs, services, and reduce taxpayer liability and costs.
Significant Changes
Fund /
Division
FY 24-25
Adopted
Budget
FY 25-26
Proposed
Budget
FY 26-27
Proposed
Budget
FY 24-25 to
25-26 Comparison
*Increase/ (Decrease)
Explanation
1010-GF
Personnel
Services
$896,771 $1,007,299 $1,048,909 $110,528 The increase in salaries and benefits is due to the addition of the Deputy City Manager
position in July of 2023 (Reso 23-5324).
1010-GF
Dues,
Subscription,
Training &
Travel
$14,500 $31,000 $31,000 ($16,500) For FYs 25-26 and 26-27, the City's subscription to the Annual League of California
Cities membership Dues, which was
approximately $15,000 for FY 24-25, was
moved to the City Manager Subscriptions,
Training and Travel budget. It was previously
accounted for in the City Council budget. The
Membership Due is also set to increase in the
new budget, due to the growth in the City's
population.
1010-GF
Fixed Charges
$67,691 $98,997 $102,806 $31,306 Increase is due to annual salary cost of living adjustment expenditures.
Questions?
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
& CITY CLERK
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET PRESENTATION
FY 25-26 & 26-27
PRESENTED BY: TERESA VARGAS, GOVERNMENT
SERVICES DIRECTOR & CITY CLERK
JUNE 23, 2025
Organization Chart
Overview
The Government Services / City Clerk Department performs a wide variety of duties relating to the official business of the City Council, its Commissions and Committee, many which are mandated by law.
The department serves the public and other City departments through the administration of legislative processes, fair and impartial local municipal elections, records and maintains the legislative process of all open meetings of the City Council, and ensures transparent government processes and records management.
The Department is responsible for providing support to the City Council, City Manager, and the City’s Commissions and Committees.
Additionally, the City Manager allocates resources and assigns department staff with special assignments in support of other departments and citywide projects.
Overview continued
Administer public meetings, noticing, and related responsibilities for the City Council, the City’s legislative body pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, including but not limited to:
◦ Preparation and distribution of agendas and meeting packets ◦ Recording of Council legislative actions and proceedings in meetings, minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
◦ Publication of legal notices pursuant to State law
Administer annual Commissions and Committee recruitment process for expiring terms and unscheduled vacancies pursuant to the Government Code, including but not limited to:
◦ Recruitments and onboarding for Commissions and Committees ◦ Maintains annual update of the Local Appointments List (Maddy Act) Overview continued
Conduct General Municipal Elections in consolidation with the County of San Joaquin for the election of City Council members and local initiatives, referendums and recalls.
Administer campaign disclosure statements, conflict of interest filings, and related responsibilities for candidates, and elected and appointed officials pursuant to the Political Reform Act.
Administer the Citywide Records Management Program and ensures the execution and proper filing of contracts, agreements, and other official documents approved by the City Council and City Manager.
Maintains and updates the City’s Conflict of Interest Code Conduct opening of all formal bids for public projects
Accomplishments
Conducted the 2024 General Municipal Election for the Office of the Mayor and two Council Members.
Obtained Approval for the Permanent Vote by Mail Drop Box at the City Hall Parking Lot.
Conducted recruitment and appointment process for multiple positions with expiring terms on the City's Commissions and Committee, for FYs 23-24 and 24-25.
Conducted the 2024 biennial review of the Conflict-of-Interest Code. Approximately, 15 positions evaluated.
In August 2023, the Deputy City Clerk obtained her Certified Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Processed 31 City Council Agendas (23 Regular Meetings & 8 Special Meetings), totaling 16,613 pages scanned into Laserfiche from July 1, 2023, to June 9, 2025.
Image: Ballot Drop Box at City Hall
Accomplishments continued
Codified 22 Ordinances in the Lathrop Municipal Code.
Added 515 Resolutions to the Official City Council Legislative Book of Records.
Processed approximately 320 Ceremonial Documents (Letters of Commendations, Proclamations, Certificates of Recognition, etc.) Performed approximately 78 Oaths of Office for Civil Service, Sworn, Elected and Appointed Officials, and Commissioners.
Processed and archived approximately 2,800 legal and legislative documents into Laserfiche.
Recorded approximately 50 Legal Documents with the San Joaquin Recorder’s Office.
Published approximately 150 Legal Notices for Public Bids, Hearings, and Special Notices Required by Law.
Accomplishments continued
Updated Laserfiche, and transferred the old Laserfiche repository to the new repository in preparation for Departmental Files
Implement the Adopted Retention Schedule into Laserfiche Record Templates.
Worked with key staff from City Departments to implement the newly adopted comprehensive Records Retention Schedule
Transferred the electronic filing of FPPC Form 700 Statements for all 87200 Filers back to the State Portal.
Implement electronic filing of FPPC Campaign Finance Forms and Transparency Website Portal.
Continued organizing and streamlining processes of the City Clerk’s Office.
Provided notary services (internally and public)
Provided staff training on project filing, document preservation, and legislative research.
Provided training to new staff to become familiar with the agenda process, after action process, contract management, bidding procedures, and research of historical documents Ongoing maintenance of the City of Lathrop Website & Dashboard; including informing departments of ADA compliance requirements for electronic and printed records, website, and internal/external communications.
Goals
Records Retention:
◦ Continue to coordinate city-wide training of City’s Records and Information Management Program Policy and the adopted Records Retention Schedule. ◦ Restart the annual city-wide records disposition & obtain City Council approval. ◦ Continue to preserve all vital records of the City of Lathrop.
Laserfiche Project
◦ Provide user training for new staff.
◦ Assist Departments with restructuring and implement departmental folder files for final record retention.
Facilitate approval of the consolidated 2026 General Municipal Election for the City of Lathrop with County of San Joaquin Registrar of Voters, and prepare for the Candidate Nomination Period
Website Redesign and work with the Information Systems Department to implement new requirements set forth by the Department of Justice.
Goals
Prepare the 2026 biennial review of Conflict-of-Interest Code.
Continue to organize and streamline processes of the City Clerk’s Office.
Continue to provide support to the Mayor, City Council and the City Manager.
Continue to provide Notary Services (internally and public) Continue to provide support, guidance and training opportunities to other departments as needed.
Continue to attend training courses provided by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, City Clerks Association of California, and League of California Cities:
◦ Deputy City Clerk to continue training requirements for the Master Municipal Clerk Designation.
◦ Administrative Technician to continue training requirements for the Certified Municipal Clerk Designation.
Significant Changes
Fund /
Division
FY 24-25
Adopted
Budget
FY 25-26
Proposed
Budget
FY 26-27
Proposed
Budget
FY 24-25 to
25-26 Comparison
*Increase/ (Decrease)
Explanation
1010-GF
Personnel
Services
$273,891 $436,156 $462,922 $162,265 Increase in salaries and benefits is due to the reallocation of the Administrative Technician
from the Public Works Department to the
Government Services / City Clerk Department
in December of 2023.
1010-GF
Contractual
Services
$181,126 $88,800 $165,800 ($92,236) Reduction of election related costs payable to San Joaquin County for FY 25-26; the invoice
for the November 2026 Municipal Election will
be received and budgeted in FY 26-27.
1010-GF
Dues,
Subscription,
Training &
Travel
$11,300 $15,800 $15,000 $4,500 This budget includes training and Notary License renewals for three employees.
Additionally, the cost of travel has significantly
increased from prior years.
1010-GF
Fixed Charges
$22,000 $25,134 $26,100 $3,134 Increase is due to annual salary cost of living adjustment expenditures.
Questions?