When I joined council in March 2019, the State Auditor had just added Montebello to its High Risk fraud and abuse watchdog program, we had almost as many city managers as the 10 years that preceded my election, and residents wanted change.
Five years into office what have we accomplished? When we see some of the perennial issues sprouting up, what are we really changing? Over the next several weeks I'm going to expand on:
Fiscal policy
General fund revenues increasing from $51.3 million in 2019 to $76.7 million in 2024.
City staff expanding from 509 employees in 2019 to 595 employees in 2024
Employee raises for the first time in a decade so Montebello is competitive in attracting and retaining qualified personnel.
The sale of the Montebello Water Company netting almost $18 million and fully funding our reserve pools for future emergencies.
Economic Development
Blueprints for the development of our city, Downtown Montebello, bicycle lanes and parks to the year 2040.
Historic investment in economic development for stronger ties with our Chamber of Commerce, revamping our historic golf course with TopGolf, and expanding our property tax base with Metro Heights and Tesla.
Public Safety
Public safety divisions expanding by over 45 officers, paramedics, and support personnel.
A homeless services taskforce, the Montebello Community Assistance Program or "MCAP," that engages with the unhoused in our city on a day-to-day basis.
Expanding graffiti abatement and code enforcement against blighted vacant properties.
Physical and Digital Infrastructure
A new city website with recently approved AI enhancements to help answer visitor questions, and the MyMontebello app to report potholes, graffiti, tree trimming, and other requests for service.
Street repair funding north of $25 million with a 5-year plan to cover the whole city.
Reestablished the Traffic and Safety Commission to address concerns like speed humps and traffic controls.
Community Well-being
Engaged CareSolace for free mental health resources.
Established the Montebello Heritage Festival.
Saw the return of the 4th of July Firework Spectacular and in 2024 the Montebello parade.
Supported and hosted the Montebello Street Fest.
Government Transparency
Reestablished the Civil Service Commission providing employees with due process for complaints.
Engaged with the ACLU to strike down a law in Montebello prohibiting free speech.
Removed exemptions to bidding that allowed contracts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to be passed without public oversight.
Reestablish monthly financial reporting.
This is the short list, and we're just getting started. If that's the foundation, where are we going? This post is getting a little long, so check out the next one to find out!
With your support and trust we are getting Montebello back to the place we always knew it could be. I am asking for your vote this October through November to defend a seat that we have worked to hold since 2019.
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