City Council Meeting - 2026-02-24
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Fontana City Council meeting on February 24, 2026 was primarily ceremonial, featuring employee recognition awards and a cold case resolution presentation. No zoning changes, development approvals, or substantive land use votes occurred. The council approved the mid-year budget status report showing $7.5 million in projected year-end surplus and authorized sewer ordinance updates to align with state regulations.
Key Decisions (3)
Mid-Year Budget Status Report FY 2025-26
Council approved the mid-year budget adjustments including $3.8 million revenue increase (1.9% over budget), $2.6 million expenditure increase (1.7% over budget), and organizational changes adding 2 positions and reclassifying 2 vacant positions. Year-end estimates project $7.5 million surplus with fund balance increase of $8 million. General fund shows use tax exceeding expectations at $46.8 million while sales tax is $1 million under forecast.
Sewer Ordinance Update - Ordinance 1984
First reading of ordinance rescinding and replacing articles 1-8 of Chapter 23 of Fontana Municipal Code regarding sewers and sewage disposal. Updates align with State Water Resource Control Board and Regional Water Control Board policies, including changing septic system distance requirements from building to property line, updating pretreatment program requirements, clarifying grease interceptor/trap requirements, and implementing new user fees approved July 2024.
Consent Calendar Including Navigation Center Items
Council approved consent calendar including Item B (second reading for homeless shelter use at specified location) and Item O (purchase and sale agreement for navigation center property partnering with county). The navigation center will serve 8 cities from Rialto to Chino Hills providing treatment and placement services. Phase one environmental assessment found no hazards.
Development Activity (2)
Seville Park Improvements
Design amendment to add pickleball courts, pump track, and skate park to activate underutilized park. Architectural design contract change order approved to allow site layout of new amenities.
Navigation Center/Homeless Shelter
Homeless shelter facility serving 8 cities from Rialto to Chino Hills. Interior improvements to existing building. Part of county-wide navigation center network including High Desert and San Bernardino locations.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Single family building permits up 22% year-over-year while multifamily permits down 46%, indicating shift in residential development patterns.
Commercial Demand
Commercial/industrial permits flat with only 5 permits issued, suggesting stable but not growing commercial development activity.
Sentiment
Sales tax down 3.8% year-over-year with used car dealerships declining 34.5% and business-to-business transactions down $2.2 million since FY 22-23, while restaurants and hotels trending up.
Infrastructure
City investing over $4 million in streets and basketball court replacements funded by utility users tax, with $21.6 million programmed from transaction use tax for various projects.