Cerritos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cerritos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Advisory board schedule changes and mileage reimbursement
The budget cuts commission and committee meetings to quarterly (except Planning) and ends televised Community Safety Committee broadcasts, drawing criticism that it reduces transparency and public input.
Online permitting portal launch
A 52-year resident described a five-year-old permit snafu that forced him to pay twice for patio cover lighting, calling the city's codes confusing and its process 'close to extortion.' Staff agreed to follow up with him.
Proposed $5.7M purchase of 16550 Bloomfield Avenue
The city wanted to buy a vacant two-office-building property using a rent credit on its Towne Center ground lease instead of cash. Critics said the city can't afford to give up ~$175,000/year in cash rent during a budget deficit, and the building has sat empty for a year. The deal failed 2-2.
Iron-Wood Nine golf course finances
The gasoline leak emergency from 2023 continues, and residents pressed the council on the course's finances — one speaker cited losses of hundreds of thousands per year and urged privatization or professional management.
FY 2026-27 budget adoption and service cuts
The council voted to shut down the COW bus by May 31, 2026, a month earlier than planned, saving roughly $200,000. Riders — especially students — will need to shift to Metro, Long Beach Transit, or other regional lines, while seniors keep dial-a-ride under a new MV Transportation contract.
Short-Term Rentals and Transient Occupancy Tax
Short-term rentals are banned but operating anyway, costing the city uncollected lodging tax. The council ordered a memo on lifting the ban to capture that revenue.
FY 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Program
The council awarded contracts totaling about $2.36 million to replace the CCPA roof, a project exempt from CEQA review.
Resident Budget Task Force Process and Transparency
A 16-member resident task force reviewed budget cut options and backed a 1% sales tax paired with cuts. Critics, including four task force members who sent a letter, said the process was a messaging exercise rigged toward a tax and never examined the full $150 million budget or personnel costs.
June 2, 2026 Statewide Primary Election
The county registrar walked through vote centers, drop boxes, and deadlines for the June 2 primary, encouraging early voting.