City Council Ad Hoc Budget Committee of the Whole Meeting
FY26 budget hearing: presentations and questions on proposed budgets for Youth Services (possible fee increases tied to new licensing), Library, Council on Aging, Veterans Services, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.
The Ad Hoc Budget Committee of the Whole met for Budget Hearing #1 to review proposed FY26 budgets for several city departments and the regional vocational school. Councilors heard presentations from the directors of Youth Services, the Library (with Archives & Special Collections), the Council on Aging, Veterans Services, and the Superintendent of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. Councilor Stanganelli was nominated and voted to serve as chair of the Ad Hoc Budget Committee (motion passed 6-0-1, with Stanganelli abstaining). President Mandeville joined the meeting shortly after it began.
The most detailed substantive discussion centered on Youth Services: Director Kathy Crowley explained that Department of Early Education licensing requirements increased staffing and training costs, and that program fees will rise to meet parent needs; she also outlined a strategic shift to expand adult programming. Councilors asked questions and engaged with each presenter on program operations, budgets, and archive services at the library; similar questions and discussion occurred with the Council on Aging, Veterans Services, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. No final budget votes or other substantive approvals were recorded at this hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.