Pomona’s proposed Measure Z budget reset restores frozen positions but leaves an $8 million deficit
Pomona’s first proposed budget adjustment after voters approved Measure Z would reduce the amount transferred to the Children and Youth Fund, restore funding for previously frozen positions and narrow the city’s projected General Fund deficit. The plan would still leave an estimated $8 million gap.
The Pomona City Council agenda for Aug. 3, 2026, placed Resolution 2026-89 and related staffing and salary resolutions before the council. The city’s meeting record lists the agenda as final but the minutes as draft, with legislative actions and results unavailable. The figures below describe the staff recommendation and agenda documents, not confirmed final council action.
What staff recommended
City staff recommended decreasing FY 2026-27 revenue estimates by $8.2638 million and reducing appropriations by $3.7216 million. The proposed changes are tied largely to Measure Z, which Pomona voters approved on June 2, 2026.
Under the recommendation, the Children and Youth Fund transfer would be calculated from 10% of Bradley-Burns local sales-tax revenue rather than the prior Measure Y calculation based on unrestricted General Fund revenue. The staff report estimates the FY 2026-27 transfer at about $2.3 million.
That is lower than the $9.2 million transfer included in the budget adopted May 26, 2026, when the calculation was based on 6% of unrestricted General Fund revenues.
Why Measure Z changes the budget formula
Pomona’s official Measure Z explanation says Measure Y, approved in November 2024, directed the city to dedicate an increasing share of unrestricted General Fund revenue to the Children and Youth initiative, eventually reaching 10%.
The city says that formula contributed to projected budget shortfalls and led to 5% cuts across General Fund departments in fiscal year 2025-26. Those cuts included freezing funding for 32 full-time positions. The city warned that continuing the original funding formula could produce deeper reductions affecting public safety, parks, streets and other services.
Measure Z changes the funding source rather than eliminating the Children and Youth initiative. The city says the Bradley-Burns sales-tax formula is expected to provide roughly $2.5 million to $3 million annually, while previously allocated Measure Y funding remains protected.
Positions would be funded, but hiring would take time
The staff report describes the proposal as restoring funding for 32 full-time-equivalent positions that were unfunded in the FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 operating budgets. The detailed Resolution 2026-89 schedule identifies 28.85 frozen General Fund FTE positions, with additional positions funded through non-General Fund accounts. That difference reflects the resolution’s fund-by-fund accounting rather than a different citywide headline from the staff report.
The recommendation also adds three authorized positions: a Management Analyst, an Assistant Public Works Director and an Assistant Water Resources Director. It would reclassify the Deputy Finance Director, Human Resources Manager and Deputy Director of Library Services positions.
Funding a position does not mean it will be filled immediately. The staff report includes a $1.5 million General Fund vacancy factor because recruitment will take time and many positions are not expected to be filled for the entire fiscal year.
The deficit improves but remains
Pomona adopted its FY 2026-27 budget with a projected General Fund deficit of about $11.3 million. Staff estimates that the proposed Measure Z-related changes would reduce that deficit by about $3.4 million, leaving a projected gap of approximately $8 million.
That figure is not a balanced budget. It is the remaining projected General Fund deficit after the proposed transfer change, position funding, vacancy factor and other adjustments.
Residents should look for the finalized action on Resolutions 2026-89, 2026-90 and 2026-91, including any amendments, separate votes or continuance. As of Aug. 4, the city’s Aug. 3 meeting page had not posted finalized minutes or legislative results.
Sources
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