City of Norco - City Council Special Meeting - March 30, 2026

The City of Norco held a City Council Special Meeting on March 30, 2026, focused primarily on discussing budget initiatives for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The meeting covered proposed projects and service enhancements across various city departments, including community development, public safety, finance, IT, and public works. Key procurement-related topics included the preparation of an RFP for a strategic plan update consultant, replacement of a digital gateway board as a capital improvement project, zoning code amendments aligned with the new general plan, and facility improvements at the animal shelter, sheriff station, and sports complex. The finance department discussed exploring new revenue initiatives such as audits of hotel compliance and potential parcel taxes or community facilities districts (CFDs) to support public safety funding. Public safety deliberations included the need for replacement vehicles for the Norco Citizen Patrol, negotiations with Eastvale regarding a new fire truck and associated staffing costs estimated at $3.2 million annually, and considerations for future fire apparatus procurement and funding mechanisms. IT initiatives involved planning for a new financial system before the current one sunsets in 2029, server room expansion, and use of consultants for project management. The council provided feedback on event scaling, budget priorities, and emphasized the importance of a balanced and transparent budget. Staff will incorporate council input into department budgets and return with a final budget presentation in May 2026.