Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
36 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Citywide Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Councilmember Robillard proposed a three-member working group to develop the city's AI policy over 13 months, addressing how the city governs and uses AI tools.
Making the Board of Ethics independent via City Charter
The board is floating a charter change that would write the ethics board into the City Charter — like the Community Police Review Commission — so a future council can't dissolve it, and would let the Inspector General, not council members, appoint its members. Complaint findings and penalties could also shift from City Council to the Inspector General. The ideas are early-stage and head to the Charter Review Committee, which convenes in 2027, with possible voter approval in March 2028.
New Inspector General's office takes shape
Riverside finally filled the watchdog position voters approved in 2024. Lori K.M. Cox will audit city spending and investigate fraud and waste starting October 19 — and residents immediately lined up asking her to look at city purchase cards and contracts.
Legislation affecting utility affordability and PFAS
The board met privately to get legal advice on the city's federal lawsuit against 3M and other manufacturers (MDL No. 2873), likely related to PFAS contamination; no reportable action resulted.
Arts and Culture Grants Program Oversight
A resident questioned who authorized roughly $1 million in arts and culture grants to nonprofits and suggested the new Inspector General look into it.
Public Benefits Energy Surcharge Fund spending plan
A community working group spent several meetings developing recommendations for spending the Public Benefits Energy Surcharge Fund reserves. The Board was scheduled to weigh options and potentially forward a preferred plan to the City Council.
Inspector General recruitment and Measure L oversight
Two years after Riverside voters passed Measure L with 65% support, the city is still working on standing up independent oversight — now via an Inspector General position the council itself is recruiting in closed session. Critics say an employee who answers to the council isn't truly independent oversight, and they're frustrated it's being handled through a special meeting with e-comments turned off.
Inspector General Appointment
Instead of council members appointing ethics board members, the Inspector General would do it, reducing perceived bias since most complaints target council members. Members debated whether the board would then be beholden to the IG.
Mobile home parks rent stabilization annual review
The annual review capped 2027 mobile home rent increases at 2.56%. Additional changes on capital improvement charges and sale-related rent increases go to the Housing and Homelessness Committee next week.
Mounting outside counsel legal fees
Mill blasted $336,483.61 spent on the airport hangar litigation chain, arguing the money should go to potholes and trees; residents demanded mediation instead of litigation.
Proposed Library Budget FY 2026/28
The library's proposed budget for fiscal years 2026/28 was scheduled for presentation. It shapes what services, materials, and staffing residents can expect from Riverside libraries over the coming years.
Purchasing authority and government transparency
Staff proposed letting the city manager approve bigger purchases without a council vote — up to $200,000 informal for most purchases — to cut red tape. Residents warned it reduces transparency and competition, and the council sent the threshold question to the Finance Committee.
Next electric rate study gets underway
The board recommended a $148,800 study that will set the framework for electric rates after the current five-year rate plan expires in 2028 — using new smart-meter data to see exactly how different customer groups would be hit by any future rate changes.
New park capital projects vs. budget constraints
Commissioner Dawson flagged that major projects like the La Sierra Pool and Mission Ranch park were announced without commission review, even after the city asked parks to cut its budget and Measure Z funds are spoken for. He wants the issue agendized.
Measure Z drawdown and softening revenues
Residents continue to spar over Measure Z, the quarter-cent sales tax going to the general fund, with complaints that 'small businesses support' signage is misleading and community meetings drawing big crowds.
FY 2025/26 Third Quarter Financial Update
How is the city's budget actually holding up three quarters into the fiscal year? This report covers the numbers, proposed adjustments, and how Measure Z sales tax dollars are being spent — the stuff that shapes what services Riverside can afford.
Two-Year Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
The Council was to adopt the FY 2026-2028 biennial budget — about $1.57 billion in year one and $1.59 billion in year two — plus the capital improvement plan that funds streets, parks, and facilities.
FY 2026-27 Master Fees and Charges Schedule
Most city user fees rise 5.7%, a two-year catch-up that brings the city about $862,000 and helps close the budget gap. New: a $49 fee for repeatedly contaminating recycling/organics bins, plus notary and records duplication fees. Councilmembers pressed staff on outreach to seniors and non-English speakers before fines hit.
$9 million HUD Annual Action Plan funding local nonprofits
Riverside's $9 million in federal CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA money goes to free dental care, foster youth advocates, rape crisis counseling, diaper banks, refugee job training, and homeless services. Nonprofits warned state and federal cuts are squeezing them hard, making city dollars a critical bridge.
FY 2026-27 Federal Grant Annual Action Plan
Riverside was set to allocate about $9.05 million in federal CDBG, ESG, HOPWA, and HOME funds to housing and human services programs. These grants fund everything from homeless services to housing repairs for low-income residents.
Low-income utility program outreach and direct-install eligibility
The City Council approved the Public Benefits Fund spending plan and asked RPU to expand outreach to seniors and low-income customers. A board member flagged that the mobile home direct-install program requires being a gas-company customer — a hurdle as homes go all-electric — and staff plans an RFP for an RPU-run program.
New City Attorney hire at $372,624
James Johnson was hired as city attorney on a $372,624 contract with a 12-month severance clause. Critics slammed the afternoon timing and contract terms; two councilmembers agreed the price was too high.
Electrify Riverside EV charger funding
The board was scheduled to consider recommending $3 million from the Electric Fund's Low Carbon Fuel Reserve to install EV chargers at public facilities and run the Electrify Riverside program. It needs at least five affirmative votes on the City Council to pass.
Proposed airport rates and charges
The airport wants to raise hangar rents for new tenants, bump utility rates for everyone, charge for advertising, terminal rentals, tie-downs, and gate cards, and penalize non-aeronautical hangar use. All of it goes to City Council on August 11 — that's the real decision point.
Life after Measure Z failed
Commissioners want a post-mortem on the failed Measure Z measure: what the city looks like without that revenue, what the backup plan is, and how budget gaps get filled. Staff noted the adopted budget included no Measure Z assumptions and the tax runs another ten years, but agreed to assess the request.
City Attorney recruitment
The council is working on hiring a new City Attorney — the city's top legal officer, who advises the council and handles legal matters for Riverside. Details are being discussed behind closed doors, as state law allows for personnel and recruitment matters.
FY 2026-27 Electric and Water User Fees and Charges
The board was set to consider a resolution adopting next year's electric and water rates and fees, and to ask the City Council to hold a public hearing on them.
Measure Z renewal debate
Callers said the Measure Z extension on the June 2 ballot is a general tax with no fire/police guarantee, noted it doubled from $42 million to $84 million, and demanded an audit of how the first nine years of funds were spent.
Park Department Budget Cuts and Deferred Maintenance
The parks department is giving back $2.7 million, including $1.5 million of Measure Z deferred maintenance money meant for fixing community center roofs, HVAC, and pool heaters. Two park management positions stay vacant, and ward events lose funding.
Measure Z Deferred Maintenance Fund
Measure Z dollars fix aging park facilities, but the allocation is being cut from $3.5 million to $2 million a year, pausing planned repairs.
Electric cost-of-service analysis and rate design
A $271,960 study by Carollo Engineers was scheduled for consideration to analyze water costs and rate design — groundwork that could shape future water rates for Riverside customers.
2025 and 2026 Book of Work (All Wards)
The Book of Work is the city's master list of projects and priorities for each ward. Reviewing it shapes which streets, parks, and services get attention and funding in the coming year.
Mid-year budget adjustments and police overtime
The city's finances are strong — record reserves of about $238 million in the general fund — but police overtime is running about $2.6 million over budget, and staff is warning that ongoing spending may outpace ongoing revenue. One cannabis retail business has opened, well below projections.
First-quarter city finances and appropriations
The city has about $66 million in reserves, but sales tax growth is slowing, development fees are down, and police overtime is trending high. Several speakers demanded an inspector general to audit Measure Z spending before any new tax measure.
FY 2024-25 Q4 financial carryover and appropriations
The council was to decide how to carry roughly $44.89 million in unspent funds into the new fiscal year and steer about $1.2 million into the Orange Terrace park playground and Hole Lake Master Plan. A new Deputy Fire Marshal position was also on the table.
Fiscal Year 24/25 Fourth Quarter Report and Budget Adjustment
The commission reviewed how the city finished the fiscal year, what happens to money left unspent, and a proposed budget adjustment. Carryover decisions affect what services get funded going forward.