Maintaining Strong Financial Stewardship

Six years ago, the State Auditor called San Gabriel a high-risk city. I was on the Council that turned it around.

In 2020, California's State Auditor examined our books and found San Gabriel at high risk of financial instability: depleted reserves, an $8.1 million general fund deficit, large unfunded retirement obligations, and no clear path out. We had set a goal of holding 17% in reserves. We weren't close.

I'm an accountant, and this challenge was personal to me.

We did the unglamorous work and took hard votes. But the hard work paid off.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025:

• Our city had a clean audit.

• A net increase in fund balance of $1.8 million — the seventh consecutive year our fund balance has grown.

• A projected reserve of nearly 42% of General Fund expenditures — roughly $23 million.

I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues and city staff to build our recovery. What we are accomplishing today is the result of our fiscally responsible actions.

It's the reason we can renovate a pool, bring back a Farmers Market, say yes to a symphony, and build a memorial to our veterans — while still investing in the youth, families, seniors, and small businesses who count on us.