Chino Hills Faces $2.2M Budget Deficit: How Reserves Will Safeguard Essential Services

City of Chino Hills Adopts Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget

The Chino Hills City Council has officially adopted the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, revealing a $2.2 million General Fund deficit. This shortfall will necessitate tapping into the City’s reserves to ensure the continuation of essential services and quality of life for its residents. Despite the deficit, the City has implemented numerous cost-reduction strategies and resource optimization efforts in recent years to mitigate financial strain.

Budget Overview

• Total Budget: $147.9 million in projected revenues against $150 million in expenditures across all funds.
• General Fund: $56.4 million in revenues and $58.6 million in expenditures, covering public safety, infrastructure, and community programs.
• Law Enforcement: Accounts for 32% of General Fund expenses, underscoring the City's commitment to safety through its contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Reserves and Future Projections

The deficit will be addressed using the City’s General Fund Reserves, with a current total of $46.8 million and an Unrestricted Reserve of $34.9 million. However, without identifying new revenue streams, continued deficits could halve these reserves to $27.1 million over the next five years.

Commitment to Financial Stability

The City emphasizes transparency and community engagement in its financial planning, aiming to protect reserves for emergencies and long-term needs. For detailed budget documents, visit www.chinohills.org/Budget.