BUDGET
IN BRIEF
Fiscal Year 2025-2026
2 0
2 6
Norwalk City Council
Tony Ayala
Mayor
Jennifer Perez
Vice Mayor
Margarita L. Rios
Councilmember
Rick Ramirez
Councilmember
Ana Valencia
Councilmember
2 Strategic Plan
2023-2025
Goal 3
Create and Sustain a
Resilient and Economically
Prosperous City
Goal 4
Support Sustainability and
Climate Resilience
throughout the
Community
Goal 1
Provide High Quality
Customer Service to the
Community
Goal 2
Work in Partnership
with our Community to
Achieve Safe and Livable
Neighborhoods
N
3 Norwalk At a Glance
Number of City
Parks:
14 Public Facilities
9 Population
103,414
Median Age:
34 Average Household
Size:
3.67 Median Income:
$98,709
Acres of Open
Space:
98.5 Number of Businesses:
3,670
4 City Organizational Chart
Citizens of Norwalk
City Council
Commissions
Successor Agency to
RDA
City Attorney
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
Administration
Communications &
Public Affairs
Finance
Human Resources
City Clerk
Public Safety
Community
Development
Public Services
Social Services
Transportation
Recreation & Park
Services
5 City Manager’s Message
To our Norwalk Community,
It is my pleasure to unveil the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. Here at the City of Norwalk we take great pride in responsibly utilizing public funds to deliver exceptional services and resources to our residents and community members.
Preparation of this year’s budget was notably different due to the uncertainty of the broader economy and unpredictable nature of federal administrative policies, both of which may have a negative impact on available City resources. To maintain sound fiscal management, the City will continue to monitor the budget closely and adjust as necessary.
Our staff is dedicated to communicating the City’s budget in a transparent and simple manner, which is why we created the “Budget in Brief.” This concise document simplifies the City of Norwalk's budget information, making it easily understandable for all.
Key highlights include:
o Revenues
o General Fund Proposed Expenditures
o Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs)
The Fiscal Year 202 5-2026 Budget includes an investment of over $79.3 million from the General Fund towards programs, services, and resources that further the City Council’s 2023- 2025 Strategic Plan goals. The City will continue to move forward with transparency, accountability and improvements to provide a balanced and fiscally solvent budget.
Sincerely,
Jesus Gomez
City Manager
For a more detailed view of the City’s Budget, please visit the City’s website at:
https://www.norwalk.org/departments_services/finance/budget_and_financial_reports/index.php
6 Annual Budget
Process
JANUARY
BUDGET
PLANNING
The Finance Department
begins preparations for
mid-year adjustments
and upcoming fiscal
year budget.
FEBRUARY
BUDGET PREP
&
MID-YEAR
UPDATE
Mid-Year adjustments
are presented to the City
Council for approval and
departments begin to
prepare.
MARCH
BUDGET
KICK-OFF &
STRATEGIC
PLAN
The City Council
identifies priorities for
the City’s Strategic Plan.
Finance consolidates all
department requests and
determines Personnel
costs.
APRIL
DEPARTMENTAL
MEETINGS
Departments meet and
present their budget
requests to the City’s
Budget Team for
consideration. P rior to
presenting to the City
Council, Budget Team
balances the proposed
budget.
MAY &
JUNE
STUDY
SESSIONS &
BUDGET
ADOPTION
The City Council reviews
the proposed budget for
input and questions
from the public .
Following the review, the
final budget is then
approved for adoption
and implemented on
July 1st.
7 FY 25-26 Budget
Highlights
Recreation &
Park Services
o Various Youth Programs (Youth
Sports and Teen Alliance)
o 13 seasonal special events
Public Safety
o Sheriff’s contract
o Homeless Outreach (HOPE) Team
o School Resource Deputy
o Transportation Patrols
Social Services
o Senior Nutrition Program
o Mentoring Program for Young
Women & Men
o Emergency Food & Shelter
Program
Community
Development
o Business Attraction Retention &
Expansion Program (B.A.R.E.)
o Economic Development
Initiatives
Public Services
o 3 new Capital Improvement Projects
o Maintenance Programs for City’s Water,
Sewer and Stormwater systems
Transit
o Regulatory Plan Updates
o Purchase of 3 electric buses
o Improvements of Transit Facility
and Bus Stops
8 Revenue Type *Total
General Fund
$78,695,362
Enterprise
Funds
(Water, Sewer Transit)
$40,721,390
Other Funds
(Grants, Restricted
Funds)
$113,364,307
TOTAL $232,781,059
FY 25-26 Revenues
City-Wide
Where the Money Comes From
*Total includes estimated revenues and transfers in
34%
17%
49%
9 Revenue Source Amount
Property Values
Derived Revenue $28,041,070
Sales & Use Tax $24,960,000
Utility User Tax $6,180,000
Transient Occupancy
Tax $ 1,628,300
Franchise Fee $ 4,009,000
Other General
Revenues $8,666,244
Departmental
Revenues $5,210,748
TOTAL $78,695,362
Use of Pension Stabilization
Trust Fund to Balance Shortfall $650,000
General Fund
Breakdown of General Fund Sources
10 Function FY 26 Budget
General
Government $16,040,582
Debt Service $772,596
Public Safety $28,509,393
Public Services $16,871,113
Social Services $4,397,979
Community
Development $5,475,874
Recreation &
Park Services $7,257,101
TOTAL $79,324,638
FY 25-26 General Fund
Operating Budget
Where the Money Goes
11 Expenditure Type FY 26 Budget
Personnel Cost $38,260,537
L.A. County
Sheriff’s Contract $19,305,621
Debt Service $772,596
Contract
Services $12,282,465
Utilities $3,444,160
Other
Operating Costs $5,259,260
TOTAL $79,324,638
47%
23%
1%
15%
4% 10%
FY 25-26 General Fund
Budget Breakdown
How We Use the Money
12 Project Category # of Projects Amount
Street Projects 21 $45,220,202
Traffic
Improvements 9 $12,502,933
Park
Improvements 9 $13,473,390
Water Projects 6 $7,362,715
Sewer Projects 5 $2,151,012
Storm Water &
Environmental 3 $30,065,172
Facilities & Misc.
Improvements 15 $25,270,309
TOTAL 68 $136,045,733
FY 25-26 Capital
Improvement Projects
13