El Monte · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in El Monte public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City staffing and compensation update
The council added positions — two police custody officers, a code enforcement officer, and others — at a cost of about $335,800, which pushes next year's projected deficit toward $4 million. Some members flagged the strain on city finances.
Special tax levies for El Monte Gateway and Mountain View community facilities districts
The 62 parcels near Mountain View High School pay $166.39 each for public services maintenance — up just five cents from last year.
Finance modernization: Tyler Munis ERP and OpenGov budget software
The city is going paperless with electronic payments, live budget tracking for every department, and payroll/HR and utility billing phases going live in 2026.
Municipal code hiring procedure changes
A 25-year-old 'rule of three' requiring three qualified candidates before hiring is being removed, which should speed up recruiting for hard-to-fill jobs like water engineers.
Delinquent trash bills placed on county tax roll
Businesses and multifamily properties that don't pay Valley Vista trash bills will see the charges added to their property tax bills, with the city keeping a 10% administrative cut. Some speakers called it profiting from struggling residents.
City audit finds nine findings and high-risk federal status
The city's FY 2025 audit came back clean overall, but late filing of the single audit puts El Monte in a 'high-risk' federal category, meaning double the audit testing next year. The general fund actually ended $3 million ahead of projections.
November 3, 2026 Municipal Election
El Monte voters will decide in a June 2026 special election whether the City Clerk and City Treasurer positions should be appointed rather than elected by the public.
Waste and Sewer Assessments on the Tax Roll
Residents in the Klingerman/Bonwood district will pay $595.24 per unit (up 1.7%), Lewis Homes owners face the annual sewer assessment, and delinquent trash bills get collected via property tax bills. One speaker asked whether the city offers a hardship forgiveness program like LA County's.
Litigation settlement brings $70,000 to the city
The council unanimously settled an existing lawsuit, El Monte v. Si Chong Li, with the city receiving $70,000 rather than paying out.
City workforce vacancies under AB 2561
The city has 21 vacancies across 333 budgeted positions in its four bargaining units — a 6.5% rate, well under the state's 20% reporting threshold. Staff is reviewing hiring rules that require three viable candidates before an eligibility list can be created.
FY 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan
The annual HUD report shows how about $2.1 million in federal money was spent: senior programs for 850 residents, Zamora Park and Gibson Mariposa Park renovations, an aquatic center slide, rental help for 23 families, and 3-4 new Habitat for Humanity homes for low-income buyers coming in early 2027.
City Council Strategic Study Session
The council set aside a special evening for a big-picture strategy discussion rather than routine votes. Study sessions shape the priorities that later show up in budgets, projects, and policies.
Employee wellness and professional development
HR is building a stronger employee wellness program, expanding training, and developing a return-to-work program to cut injury costs.
Elimination of elected city clerk, treasurer and mayor positions
Written public comments and testimony opposed reported ballot initiatives to eliminate the elected city clerk, city treasurer and mayor positions, with one speaker citing an estimated $207,000–$270,000 special election cost. Resident Megan Nichols and others submitted formal opposition emails entered into the record.