Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
43 issues in taxes budget with medium priority
City Sponsorship Program funding for nonprofit community events
The city gives out $158,214 to nonprofits for community events each half-year cycle, but that pot hasn't grown in roughly six years even as event costs rise. The committee recommended approval of this cycle's awards and wants staff to look at a funding increase next budget cycle.
Proposed Charter amendments
An Ad Hoc Committee has drafted proposed Charter amendment recommendations for a future Charter Review Commission. Changes to the City Charter can reshape how Riverside's government works, from ethics oversight to council procedures.
Auto Center Business Improvement District Assessment
The council was scheduled to confirm annual assessments on auto center dealers and raise the city's own contribution from $100,000 to $150,000 a year. Dealers would pay assessments; the city would spend an extra $50,000.
San Onofre decommissioning reserve funding cut in half
Riverside Public Utilities is closing in on fully funding its share of San Onofre nuclear plant decommissioning, so the annual contribution drops from $1 million to $500,000 starting fiscal 2026-27. That frees up utility funds for other needs, though estimates could change when new decommissioning figures come out.
Permanent collection growth
The board recommended adding dozens of archival lots and bird specimens to the permanent collection and removing old laundry equipment and taxidermy specimens, with final approval resting with the City Council.
City manager recruitment input
The museum director encouraged Board members and the public to fill out a survey — in English or Spanish — on what qualities Riverside should seek in its next city manager.
Citywide computer purchasing overhaul through Lenovo
The city is ditching its 790-orders-a-year, Dell-based computer buying in favor of two bulk Lenovo orders per year, cutting per-unit costs 25-61% and eliminating pricey warranties. The utility board authorized its share and sent the recommendation to the City Council.
Police-related $70 tow fee to contracted tow companies
Riverside takes $70 from every tow and pays tow companies less than neighboring cities do, even as their insurance and diesel costs soar. The committee wants to stop the city's cut and raise storage pay without raising fees on residents.
City Employee Spending and Credit Card Concerns
Two residents raised questions about city employee pay data and dozens of city-issued credit card statements they obtained through public records requests.
Proposition 1 housing bond endorsement
Riverside formally backed Prop 1, the $11.25 billion veterans and affordable housing bond on the November ballot.
Customer Refunds and City Charter Section 1204
Board members questioned whether the city charter blocks returning cap-and-trade money directly to customers, as SoCal Gas and Edison are already doing. The city attorney's office was asked for an analysis, and a charter review committee could take up the issue.
Commission's charter role in advising City Council
Commissioners disagree about whether the commission is a watchdog or an advisor. Schaefer wants a charter discussion so the commission doesn't hold up grants or ordinances; Dawson insists projects should come to the commission first.
Library Trust Fund Spending and Gift Donations
Reports showed $8,709.99 in trust fund spending on books and materials in March and $12,500 in gift fund donations received between late February and early April.
Airport financial health and enterprise fund status
The airport finished the fiscal year 11.6% above budget on revenue and doesn't cost the city anything — it's self-funded and its surpluses legally stay at the airport. It's a win for taxpayers, but the airport still struggles to fund big capital projects like a $4–5 million parking lot repaving.
Budget Engagement Commission downsizing
Commissioners kept drifting into questions — crime stats, DUI tracking, revenue generation — that the city attorney says fall outside the commission's charter role of advising the council on spending priorities. The commission plans to discuss its own scope in a future meeting, and any expansion of its authority would require council action.
Custodial services contract for city facilities
A nearly $3.9 million agreement with UNISERVE would cover cleaning services at city buildings through June 2029.
State legislative changes affecting housing
Thirty-nine new California laws took effect, including rules that could allow up to six units on single-family lots and streamline environmental review. Members worried about losing local discretion and wanted the community better informed before adopting changes.
Commission budget cut to $2,500
The commission's 2026-27 budget is $2,500 — roughly half of last year — and it only covers TV filming costs. No money for brochures, flyers, or outreach swag, which limits the commission's ability to do community education.
State legislation affecting RPU rates and programs
Housekeeping changes with real effects: the city will stop offering master metering to new apartment buildings and mobile home parks (tenants will be billed directly by RPU and eligible for customer programs), plus clearer rules for ADU service connections and utility access to equipment.
Pepsi pouring rights agreement
The city could sign its first-ever exclusive beverage deal, making Pepsi the primary vendor at city facilities and events. Revenue starts conservatively around $35,000 a year plus commissions, but members flagged health-policy concerns about vending machines in parks and protecting existing sponsorships.
Citywide workforce vacancies and recruitment
HR reported busy recruitment — nearly 50 lifeguards onboarded for summer, 25 youth interns, and a successful career fair — plus new exit surveys targeting why employees leave in their first two years.
Financial Health Indicators report
An annual-style financial checkup showing how Riverside is doing on the measures used to track fiscal health and fiscal responsibility. The results help signal whether the city can keep funding services without fiscal stress.
Updated Investment Policy for City funds
The city's rulebook for how the City Treasurer invests public money was due for an update, replacing the policy set by Resolution No. 23566. How city funds are invested affects returns, safety of reserves, and ultimately the city's bottom line.
Bridle Ridge special tax bond issuance
The council was scheduled to consider issuing up to $5 million in special tax bonds for Community Facilities District No. 2021-3 (Bridle Ridge), which funds services and improvements in that Ward 4 area.
Commission budget and discretionary funding
Commissioners learned this commission's budget only covers staffing, meetings and AV — and that it used to be the only commission with extra discretionary funds, now apparently cut. They want a budget briefing and possibly a budget commission presentation.
Annual special tax levies in Community Facilities Districts
Riverwalk and Sycamore Highlands landscape assessments tick up with CPI while the citywide street lighting fee stays frozen at $31.44 — meaning the general fund keeps subsidizing street lights by about $2.1 million a year.
City Attorney employment agreement
The council was asked to approve a $372,624 annual employment agreement with James Johnson as City Attorney starting July 17, 2026, which required a waiver of the Sunshine Ordinance for immediate action.
City Attorney's Office performance review
The council was asked to approve a $372,624 annual employment agreement with James Johnson as City Attorney starting July 17, 2026, which required a waiver of the Sunshine Ordinance for immediate action.
Historical city audits and fiscal transparency
Commissioner Ward asked to agendize a look at past city audits and vendor spending to understand spending patterns. Staff suggested working out details with individual commissioners and targeting an August meeting.
Equal Employment Opportunity policy revision
The city's Equal Employment Opportunity policy — the rules guarding against workplace discrimination — was up for revision and public comment. It shapes how the city handles discrimination complaints and hiring fairness.
Fiscal Year 2025/26 Second Quarter Financial Report
The mid-year financial report shows net revenue adjustments of about $4.3 million and supplemental appropriations and transfers of about $4.9 million — signals of how the current year's finances are actually tracking.
Outside legal counsel for the Board of Ethics
The board considered whether to use outside lawyers instead of the City Attorney's office for advice on specific matters. This could affect how independent the board's legal guidance is.
Rules excluding litigants from city boards
New rule: if you're suing the city, you can't be nominated to a city board or commission. Critics called it a First Amendment problem; supporters said it just codifies existing practice.
Ballot measure outreach funding
The council was asked to spend $195,000 on informational materials and community outreach about an upcoming ballot measure. Five votes were needed because it's a supplemental appropriation.
Construction contractor performance evaluations
The committee was scheduled to hear how the city's Vendor Performance Evaluation Policy is being applied to construction contractors. Better contractor evaluations could mean better streets, buildings and public works projects for residents.
City workforce vacancies under AB 2561
The city's vacancy rate is under 12 percent and recruiters hired or promoted about 500 people in 2025, including nine police officers with hiring incentives. A deaf advocate urged the city to actively recruit from the disabled community, citing 73 percent unemployment among people with disabilities.
Council meeting schedule change
The council adopted an ordinance moving regular meetings to the first four Tuesdays with afternoon sessions, which critics say shuts working residents out of evening comment. Several speakers demanded evening sessions, and the council agreed to try an afternoon start for next week's short agenda while committing to revisit the issue.
2025 Annual Audit and Financial Report
Independent auditors reviewed the utility's 2025 finances, with the board asked to recommend Council approval. The audit shows how well the utility is managing ratepayer money.
City Council ideas and priorities for 2026 by Ward
Each of the seven councilmembers was scheduled to lay out what their ward wants to see in 2026 — from infrastructure to community programs. This shapes the council's shared agenda for the year.
Overtime and administrative leave policy revision
The city is revising its rules on overtime pay for non-safety management employees and how administrative leave works. This affects paychecks and time off for city staff, and how taxpayer dollars fund overtime.
FMLA/CFRA family and medical leave policy revision
Revisions to the city's family and medical leave policy were up for public hearing. This governs how city employees take protected leave for their own or a family member's serious health condition, or for a new child.
Self-Insurance Trust Funds Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Review
The city's self-insurance trust funds cover liability claims and related costs, and an annual review shows whether reserves are healthy. If the funds are underfunded, taxpayers could eventually feel the pinch through budget adjustments.
Fire department union MOUs and salary plan amendment
One-year MOUs with the fire unions and a salary plan amendment were on the consent calendar, with a supplemental appropriation and five affirmative votes required. This sets fire employee pay and benefits for 2026.