2026 State of the City

The City of Simi Valley held its 2026 State of the City address, presented by Mayor Didi Kavanaugh, highlighting the city's accomplishments and future plans across six pillars: public safety, fiscal stability, economic vitality, thriving community, reliable infrastructure, and excellent city government. Key procurement and budget-related highlights included the city's adopted budget of approximately $283.9 million for fiscal year 2026-2027, with $100.5 million allocated to the general fund supporting core services. Capital improvement projects include nearly $28 million in investments, with $11.2 million for water works, $10.2 million for sanitation, and $6.1 million for streets and roads, including resurfacing nearly 11 miles of streets. The city also secured over $7 million in state funding for a future regional transit center and invested more than $600,000 in federal community development block grants for neighborhood improvements. Economic development efforts featured new business expansions, including PennyMac relocating 1,000 jobs to Simi Valley and a new 200,000 square foot industrial building by Hanover Company. The city announced the establishment of a dedicated film office to attract productions and boost the local economy, which has seen a 63% increase in film production days generating an estimated $8.6 million in economic impact. Additionally, the city is modernizing operations with expanded online permitting, cybersecurity enhancements, and new technology deployments. The meeting emphasized ongoing collaboration among city departments and community partners to maintain and improve services and infrastructure for residents.