Torrance council adopts 2026-27 budget plan
After continuing the budget once to June 9, 2026, the council approved the operating budget, capital plan, and appropriation limit, with one digital-sign question left open.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council continues and then adopts 2026-27, closed session action report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The city locked in its 2026-27 spending plan, but council still wants staff to study whether a fourth digital sign belongs in a later budget discussion.
The budget vote set the city's next year in motion. Torrance City Council first closed its second public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 operating budget and capital improvement plan, then continued the matter to June 9, 2026. At the third public hearing, the council came back and adopted the budget, the capital improvement plan, and the appropriation limit.
That sequence matters because it shows the budget was not approved in one step. The council used an extra hearing before taking final action, then wrapped up the city's main spending and capital documents together. The appropriation limit went through with the package, putting the legal cap alongside the broader budget plan for the fiscal year.
One piece did not end with the vote. The council directed staff to explore a fourth digital sign and bring that question back for later budget review. So the larger budget is now in place, while that sign proposal remains a separate decision for a future discussion.
Closed Session Action Report: Dismissal of Employee FB013 0659
A closed-session report this week ended with a unanimous dismissal. The Board President said the board voted to dismiss an employee identified in open session as FB013 0659.
The public report gave only a narrow explanation. It said the action was based on employment district-based charges, proposed settlement charges, and a recommendation for dismissal. No further details about the allegations, timeline, or any settlement terms were provided in the open meeting.
The vote was unanimous, with no recusals or dissent reported. That leaves the public with the outcome, but little else: one employee was dismissed, and the board disclosed the action in the limited form allowed after closed session.
Council keeps Lighting District assessment flat
The council held its annual hearing on Lighting District No. 99-1 and adopted Resolution 2026-54 confirming FY 2026-2027 assessments. Single-family parcels will stay at $20.50, while total district costs are estimated at $1,968,915 and no one spoke at the hearing; Mayor George K. Chen was absent.
Council confirmed FY 2026-2027 Lighting District 99-1 assessments affecting properties in that district.
Budget presentation flags reserve and deficit pressures
A budget presentation to the board walked through the assumptions behind the proposed 2026-2027 adopted budget, from attendance and COLA estimates to pension rates and labor settlements. Staff said the district is projecting deficit spending but still expects to remain above the minimum reserve for economic uncertainty.
litigation
Speakers press city on veteran recognition
Public speakers used oral communications to praise the Armed Forces Day parade while criticizing mistakes in how one veteran was announced. One speaker said repeated errors embarrassed the veteran and family, and the mayor said staff would follow up and look at restoring centenarian recognition.
memorial
Councilmember marks new Veterans Memorial name
Bridgett Lewis announced that the 152nd name has been added to the Torrance Veterans Memorial Wall, recognizing an Aram private who died in 1943 while on active duty. She said research and verification, with help from Torrance Historical Society, corrected a historical omission before this year's remembrance.
memorial
- Torrance City Council. Speakers urged denial of the project approval, citing driveway and emergency access concerns, guardrail removal risks, parking and delivery conflicts, sewer connection/easement issues, excavation and geologic risks near the Palos Verdes zone, and alleged inadequacy of CEQA review. Some referenced prior unfinished projects and hazardous groundwater/landfill monitoring.
- Torrance City Council. Multiple residents from the Hollywood Riviera/hillside overlay area urged the City to enforce and strengthen the hillside overlay ordinance using objective standards, address ADU-related impacts on views/privacy/parking, and consider fire risk and narrow streets. Several speakers criticized perceived exemptions and asked for community meetings and clearer guidance on what the City can do under state law.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
TORRANCE had 127 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECouncil advances and approves Torrance Basin pipeline franchise extension. The city first announced supplemental materials for a CEQA exemption and intent to consider a petroleum products pipeline franchise with Torrance Basin Pipeline Company LLC. Council later held the public hearing and adopted Ordinance 3968 extending the 10-inch pipeline franchise for 10 years through June 24, 2036.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves homelessness funding, shelter contract, and HUD action plan. Council approved a one-year extension and 2.7% increase for Harbor Interfaith Services to operate the 3290 temporary housing program, along with grant actions, a South Bay COG agreement, and program updates. It also approved the FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan and related HUD funding recommendations, including an agreement tied to Family Promise.
- GOVERNANCETorrance Education Foundation (TEF) President Report. The TEF president reported on end-of-year activities including the Roundup for Education fundraiser, a May 27 scholarship reception distributing $40,000, a June 19 Comedy & Magic Club fundraiser for the scholarship named for a longtime district employee, and updates on TEF programs and fundraising milestones including reaching a $1 million endowment.
- GOVERNANCERecess to closed session (agenda items 13A, 13B, 13C). The Council recessed to closed session to confer with the City Manager and City Attorney on agenda matters listed as 13A (real property negotiations), 13B (existing litigation), and 13C (labor negotiator).
- GOVERNANCECouncilmember Comments — Thanks for World Cup public safety operations; condolences to Councilmember Kaji. Councilmember Shake thanked law enforcement and fire personnel for their work during the FIFA World Cup period and offered condolences to Councilmember Kaji, stating Kaji’s mother-in-law had passed away.
- GOVERNANCEBoard approves Torrance Meridian Academy charter and creates charter fund. The board approved the petition establishing Torrance Meridian Academy and then adopted a resolution creating Fund 09 to track charter school transactions. Staff said the charter would use a three-year labor agreement approach, partner with Sora Schools for project-based learning, and aim to use charter surplus to support employee health benefits.
- GOVERNANCEOral Communications No. 1 — hillside overlay zone permit BL25-02578 concerns and request to hold permit. A resident said a hillside overlay zone project permit (BL25-02578) expanded beyond approved conditions, including alleged height and unpermitted attic issues. The speaker asked council to direct staff to place a hold on the permit and provide written verification and communication to neighbors regarding compliance with planning commission conditions.
- GOVERNANCESB1 Road Repair Accountability Act project list for FY 2026-2027. Council approved Item 8D and adopted Resolution 2026-53 adopting the list of projects for FY 2026-2027 funded by SB1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017). Mayor Chen was absent.
- GOVERNANCETentative Agreement: SEIU Local 99 and Torrance Unified School District (2025–2026). The Board approved a tentative agreement with SEIU Local 99 settling 2025–2026 negotiations. Staff reported the agreement included ongoing compensation and medical benefit payments, including a $2,000 medical benefits amount starting July 1 and a $1,500 one-time payment.
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