ACTION MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA
April 13, 2026
Special Meeting
SPECIAL SESSION
6:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL - Mayor Wu called the Special Session to order at 6:30
COUNCILMEMBERS
PRESENT: Miles, Jones, McBride, Mayor Pro Tem Frackelton, and Mayor Wu ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - The City Council conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Wu opened public comments. There being no speakers Mayor Wu closed the public comments.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 2026-27 Second Budget Workshop Presentation
City Manager Steve Franks opened the budget workshop with an overview of the FY 2026-27 budget development process. He reported that the City remains in a strong financial position, with revenues exceeding projections and expenditures below budget.
He emphasized that the City does not have a structural deficit and remains financially stable.
Finance Director Lee Siow presented the FY 2025-26 year-end projections and FY 2026- 27 revenue assumptions. She reported that projected revenues are approximately $6.4 million, exceeding budget estimates due primarily to increased property tax, service charge, and investment income revenues. She also noted that expenditures are projected to be approximately $1.8 million below budget due to savings in personnel costs, operating expenses, and delayed capital improvement projects that will be carried forward into the next fiscal year.
City Manager Steve Franks and Finance Director Lee Siow responded to Council questions regarding sales tax revenues, property tax dependency, budget carryover April 13, 2026 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
funds, reserve levels, and capital improvement funding. Staff explained that unspent project funds are carried forward and remain available for their intended purposes.
Finance Director Lee Siow reviewed FY 2026-27 revenue projections, including anticipated increases in property tax revenues and funding from sewer assessments, transportation funds, gas tax revenues, AQMD funds, PEG fees, and grant funding. Staff discussed the City's use of restricted funds and ongoing efforts to maximize grant opportunities while minimizing impacts to the General Fund.
Staff presented a summary of projected fund balances and reserves, noting that the City maintains approximately 50 percent of annual operating expenditures in reserves and remains in a strong fiscal position with no long-term debt other than pension and retiree benefit obligations.
City Manager Steve Franks reviewed proposed FY 2026-27 expenditure priorities, including housing element compliance activities, hazard mitigation planning, sewer infrastructure improvements, street rehabilitation projects, trail maintenance, City Hall maintenance, technology upgrades, employee benefits, and ongoing reserve contributions.
Staff discussed several pending budget issues, including potential increases to Measure M maintenance requirements, future law enforcement contract costs, zoning and general plan compliance updates, delayed State housing-related reimbursements, potential use of artificial intelligence technology for planning review processes, fencing and trail repairs, crosswalk improvements, storm drain infrastructure projects, and automated license plate reader programs.
During Council discussion, staff responded to questions regarding the Villa Park Road median project, sewer infrastructure planning, grant funding opportunities, council travel budgets, housing element implementation requirements, law enforcement costs, technology upgrades, and automated license plate reader options. Staff advised that editional in ratesn additional information regarding license plate reader technology and potential grant funding opportunities would be presented to the Council at a future meeting.
Staff indicated that the proposed FY 2026-27 Budget would be presented for adoption at a future City Council meeting. There was no action or further discussion on this matter.
Mayor Wu opened the public comments.
Villa Park Resident Chad Zimmerman provided public comment. He inquired about utilizing mulch and SB2 funds and expressed concerns over infrastructure.
Seeing no further public comments, Mayor Wu closed the public comments.
April 13, 2026 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wu adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. to the next regular Council meeting to be held in person on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
ordan Wu, Mayor
City of Villa Park
Steve Franks, City Clerk
City of Villa Park
Note: The above minutes are a summary of actions. A DVD recording of this meeting additionally serves as an official record and is available upon request from City Hall.