September 17, 2026, Community Meeting

The City of Ceres held a community meeting on September 17, 2026, covering public safety services and staffing, American Legion Hall improvements and potential programming, and information about the November election. Police and fire officials described current service capacity and staffing challenges. The city manager reported that about $21.4 million of the roughly $28 million discretionary General Fund budget goes to police and fire, and that Measure H sales-tax revenue is also allocated to those departments. Measure P, a proposed one-cent general sales tax estimated to generate about $9.4 million annually, was discussed as a ballot measure; no vote or spending decision was taken at the meeting.

Procurement-related discussion included two grant opportunities for the American Legion Hall: a federal Community Project Grant request for facility upgrades such as HVAC, flooring, and a roof, pending a Senate Appropriations Committee decision, and a California grant application due September 30 that could support a community resilience center and services or programming. Fire officials said a new fire engine costs about $1.1 million and may take three to five years to deliver; staff will discuss longer-term budgeting for apparatus and other equipment with the city manager. No contracts were awarded and no procurement motions or approvals were made. Community members were invited to provide input on services and improvements for the hall.