Glendale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Glendale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Utility Budget
Glendale Water and Power is proposing water rate increases over the next five fiscal years, and the Council will take public testimony before deciding. Rate changes affect every household and business water bill in the city. A related cash reserve policy for the water system is also on the table.
Internal Audit Division Staffing and Quarterly Activity
Glendale's internal audit division is running with one full-time auditor for a city with a $1.3 billion budget — a 33% staffing level — for roughly 18 months. Fewer auditors means fewer audits, a growing backlog (20 of 25 audit recommendations still open), and risk that old contract problems pass the statute of limitations before anyone catches them.
Office of the City Auditor and Independent Audit Commission Charter Amendment
The Charter Review Committee is finalizing language to create a formal Office of the City Auditor and an independent audit commission — which would reshape this very committee. Public commenter Herbert Molano argues the draft language is watered down: no subpoena power, no staffing floor, auditor still appointed by the city manager. A key deliberation meeting is November 5.
FY 2026 Audit Work Plan Review and FY 2027 Proposed Work Plan
The internal audit division presented on how it leverages advanced data analytics software and generative AI tools for preliminary research and document polishing while maintaining strict data security and manual review protocols.
LACAHSA Measure A Budget and Renter Assistance Programs
Herbert Molano repeatedly argued Measure A lets the city bypass competitive bidding on large contracts and bond issuances, costing millions, and said the audit committee should police that. Committee and staff did not take a position on the merits.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Auditing
Members said they couldn't responsibly vote on carrying over the audit work plan without seeing the full audit universe and open-issues dashboard. Staff agreed to bring those materials to the December 7 special meeting and explore secure dashboard access, with IT reviewing sensitive-data concerns (the overtime dashboard includes undercover officers' names).
FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget and Five-Year Forecast
The general fund faces a structural imbalance; FY 25-26 revenues beat projections by $7.2 million. The council is weighing options from parking fees to cannabis retail to a tourism district, with a full deliberation set for December 8.
FY 2027-2028 CDBG Funding Allocation and Program Priorities
The committee reviewed the estimated $1.7 million in CDBG funding for the upcoming fiscal year, covering administration, public social services, and capital improvements.
FY 2026-27 CDBG, ESG, and HOME Annual Action Plan
Staff presented community survey results and demographic data, highlighting community priorities such as homeless services, youth programs, and affordable housing.
Proposed 0.25% Transactions and Use Tax Measure for November 2026 Ballot
City leaders attempted to place a 0.25% sales tax increase on the November ballot to address structural budget deficits and fund public safety. The measure failed because it required a unanimous council vote to declare a fiscal emergency, highlighting ongoing debates over spending, taxes, and service cuts.
Charter Review Committee Proposals for Internal Audit
Staff presented an overview of Glendale's internal audit function, prompting discussion about whether the city's auditing process is robust enough or if an independent audit commission should be established.
City Charter Review and November Ballot Measures
The city council evaluated potential charter amendments regarding civil service rules, department head status, and the selection of the city clerk and treasurer, with debates over municipal oversight.
Municipal Insurance Policy Renewals
The city approved nearly $9.9 million for its annual insurance packages, utilizing a deductible corridor to save money on excess liability.
Municipal Election Results Certification
The city is preparing for its upcoming municipal election on June 2, 2026, to elect three council members, a city clerk, and a city treasurer. The council approved nearly $670,000 to cover election administration and Los Angeles County consolidated services.
FY 2026-27 Glendale Housing Authority Budget
The council reviewed and adopted the $64.7 million Housing Authority budget, which funds Section 8 vouchers, homeless grants, and affordable housing programs. Residents raised questions about the deployment of Measure A funds and tenant rental assistance bridges.
City Treasurer and Clerk Qualifications
The committee debated whether to protect the salaries of the elected city clerk and treasurer from being reduced during their terms and whether to establish term limits for these offices. Residents and officials shared strong opposing views on whether these positions should remain elected or be converted to appointed roles.
Citywide Fee Schedule Updates
An audit of the Fire Prevention Bureau revealed unbilled services, missing fees, fragmented tracking systems, and delayed enforcement. The committee discussed how staff plan to fix these administrative gaps to ensure proper revenue collection.
Public Records and City Clerk Time Off Concerns
Residents raised concerns during public comment about elected officials' attendance and public records transparency regarding staff leave.
Customer Payment Arrears and Economic Distress
Public commenters raised concerns about rising utility shut-off notices in specific Glendale zip codes and suggested exploring monthly billing to ease pressure on low-income families.
2026 Legislative Platform and Funding Priorities
The commission reviewed proposed legislative monitoring categories with lobbying firm Emanuel Jones and Associates and voted to expand the focus areas to include energy efficiency and water conservation.
2026-2027 Work Plan and Urban Art Fund Budget
The commission reviewed and approved the upcoming fiscal year work plan, allocating up to $2.2 million from the Urban Art Fund for public art, neighborhood arts, and cultural programs.
Commission Financial Account Oversight
The commission reviewed an informational report on its financial accounts to better understand available funds for upcoming projects.
Civic Auditorium Financial and Operational Sustainability
Staff reviewed the Civic Auditorium's annual report, highlighting revenue pressures and the loss of repeat renters due to anticipated flooring repairs that were ultimately delayed. Commissioners discussed strategies for marketing the facility and balancing operational costs.