ITEM 5. 6
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: OUT OF STATE TRAVEL APPROVAL FOR THE 2026
SAN JOAQUIN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ( SJCOG)
ONE VOICE TRIP
RECOMMENDATION: Council to Discuss and Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing Out of State Travel for the
2026 San Joaquin One Voice Trip to Washington, D. C.
from May 3-7, 2026, and Approve of Related Budget
Amendment
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, City officials have participated in approximately twenty 20) San Joaquin One Voice visits to Washington D. C., to promote jurisdictional projects and regional needs. This year, the conference will be held from May 3-7, 2026.
The City of Lathrop has an established travel policy that requires City Council approval for all out-f- state travel, incompliance with Government Code § 53232. 2, which requires local agencies to adopt a written policy for reasonable reimbursement rates for travel, meals, and lodging, and other actual and necessary expenses.
Additionally, commencing with the FY 2012- 13 budget process, Council voted to eliminate the One Voice Trip expense from the City Council' sbudget. The same was done for subsequent fiscal years. The travel funds were removed from the Council budget with the notion that if Council elected to have Councilmembers attend this event, a budget amendment would be required depending on the selected option.
The City Manager' stravel budget was kept unchanged; therefore, if Council elects to send the City Manager to attend this event, funds are available in the current budget.
If Councilmembers are interested in attending, the following options are available for consideration.
Options Include Cost Budget
Amendment
1. Send 2 Council Members & City Manager Approx. $16, 500 Approx. $11, 000
2. Send 1 Council Member & City Manager Approx. $11, 000 Approx. $5,00
3. Send 1 Council Member Approx. $5,00 Approx. $5,00
4. Send City Manager Approx. $ 5,00 None
5. Do not send representatives in 2026 None None
This report identifies estimated costs based on an average from those that attended the 2025 One Voice trip and a minor escalator based on inflation.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
2026 ONE VOICE TRIP OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
PAGE 2
One Voice is the San Joaquin Council of Governments' federal advocacy program promoting projects, programs, and policies that matter most to the San Joaquin region. The effort brings regional leaders together to champion funding and legislative support for initiatives with countywide impact. Therefore, the San Joaquin One Voice delegation works with representatives from the nation' scapital to secure vital federal funding for various projects vital to the future and sustainability of San Joaquin County. During the November 10, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting, the City Council approved the Louise Avenue and Interstate 5 Project, CIP PS 06-6, as the City of Lathrop' ssubmittal for the 2026 San Joaquin Council of Governments One Voice Project Nominations. The Louise Avenue and Interstate 5 Project is currently in the environmental review phase and satisfies the One Voice required criteria. The City' s goal is to pursue approximately $ 48. 25 Million to partially fund the total cost of this interchange project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Depending on the direction provided by the City Council, a budget amendment from the General Fund Reserves to the City Council Training and Travel Account ( Fund 1010-1- 10- 435- 20- 00) will be required to fund the cost of travel. The budget amendment amount may vary depending on the option selected by City Council. The SJCOG has confirmed that they will reimburse the Delegate Board Member for the following:
50% of airfare and hotel expenses
100% of ride -share, mileage, or taxi services.
Per diems will be covered ($ 10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, and $ 30 for dinner), based upon SJCOG' spolicy.
Certain expenses, such as flight upgrades, additional hotel nights beyond the specified group rate period ( May 3 - 7, 2026), and rental cars are not reimbursed by SJCOG. The 2026 Regional Committee Appointment for Calendar Year 2026 assigned to the San Joaquin Council of Governments - Board of Directors is Mayor Akinjo.
Options Include Cost Budget
Amendment
1. Send 2 Council Members & City Manager Approx. $16, 500 Approx. $11, 000
2. Send 1 Council Member & City Manager Approx. $11, 000 Approx. $5,00
3. Send 1 Council Member Approx. $5,00 Approx. $5,00
4. Send City Manager Approx. $5,00 None
5. Do not send representatives in 2026 None None
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution Authorizing Out of State Travel for the 2026 One Voice Trip B. San Joaquin One Voice 2026 Information
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
2026 ONE VOICE TRIP OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
APPROVALS:
resa Vargas
vernment Service
City Clerk
Cari Ja
Finance[ irector
irector &
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PAGE 3
Date
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Thomas Hedegard Date
Deputy City Manager
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Michael King Date
Assistant City Manager
Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
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Stephen 1 Salvatore Date
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 26 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO
AUTHORIZE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN ONE VOICE TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D. C. FROM MAY 3, 2026, THROUGH MAY 7, 2026, AND
APPROVE RELATED BUDGET AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, over the past several years, City officials have participated in approximately twenty San Joaquin One Voice visits to Washington D. C., to promote jurisdictional projects and needs; and
WHEREAS, in previous years, the Mayor, Council Members, and the City Manager have participated on the trip; and
WHEREAS, commencing with FY 2012- 13 budget process, Council approved to eliminate the One Voice expense from the City Council' s budget. At that time, it estimated a savings of $ 3, 500 for that fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the travel funds for subsequent fiscal years were also removed from the Council budget with the notion that if Council elected to have City Council Members attend the One Voice legislative event, a budget amendment would be required depending on the selected option; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager' stravel budget was kept unchanged, therefore, if Council elects to send theCity Manager to attend this years' One Voice legislative event, funds are available; and
WHEREAS, the following options were considered by Council:
Options Include Cost Budget
Amendment
1. Send 2 Council Members & City Manager Approx. S16, 500 Approx. S11, 000
2. Send 1 Council Member & City Manager Approx. $11, 000 Approx. S5, 500
3. Send 1 Council Member Approx. $5,00 Approx. $5,00
4. Send City Manager Approx. $5,00 None
5. Do not send representatives in 2026 None None
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Lathrop discussed the matter and hereby approves option # , to have City and Council participant( s) attend the 2026 One Voice legislative event in Washington, D. C.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Lathrop hereby approves a budget amendment from the General Fund Reserves to the City Council Training and Travel Expense Account, ( Fund 1010-1- 10- 435- 20- 00) depending on the option selected.
Resolution No. 26-
Options Include Cost Budget
Amendment
1. Send 2 Council Members & City Manager Approx. $16, 500 Approx. $ 11, 000
2. Send 1 Council Member & City Manager Approx. S11, 000 Approx. S5, 500
3. Send 1 Council Member Approx. $5,00 Approx. S5, 500
4. Send City Manager Approx. $5,00 None
5. Do not send representatives in 2026 None None
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 9th day of February 2026, by the following vote of the City Council, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Paul Akinjo, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Teresa Vargas, City Clerk Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney Resolution No. 26-
SAN JOAQUIN ONE VOICE® Attachment B
San Joaquin One Voice® is SJCOG' sadvocacy program for San Joaquin County promoting projects, programs and issues of regional significance to federal legislators and agencies, typically through an annual tripto Washington, D. C. The purpose of One Voice® is to advocate for new or increased funding and legislation for issues and projects of regional significance to the San Joaquin region.
The goal was, and remains, to assemble a public -private delegation. select prioritized projects. and then visit Congressional and Federal departmental representatives in Washington, D. C. to pursue funding and grant opportunities.
Building on the broad -based, public -private coalition SJCOG assembled, Congressional representatives and their staff have welcomed and encouraged the One Voice® communications as a means of assisting federal representatives identify, prioritize and shepherd much -needed projects and programs through the federal budgetary process.
2026 One Voice®
The annual One Voice® trip to Washington, D. C., is scheduled for May 3-7. 2026, where the delegation will meet with federal lawmakers and officials to advocate for funding on regionally significant projects. 2026 One Voice® Program Guidelines
2026 One Voice® Program Application
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7
Registration information will be provided soon.
Please stay tuned for more information.