With $316 Million Budget in Place, Simi Valley Sets Spending Priorities
Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Simi Valley residents can expect continued investment in police services, infrastructure and everyday essentials, following the City Council’s unanimous vote to adopt a $316 million budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The vote, taken June 9, also approved a five-year Capital Improvement Program that includes dozens of projects aimed at keeping the city running smoothly — from street and sewer repairs to new emergency equipment and transit upgrades.
“This budget reflects our community’s priorities,” Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh said in a statement. “We’re focused on delivering the services our residents count on every day while also preparing for the future by investing in public safety, technology, economic vitality and disaster resiliency.”
A big chunk of the budget — $97 million — goes into the city’s General Fund, which covers the services people interact with most. That includes the Simi Valley Police Department, which will get more than 40% of that funding. This year’s plan sets aside over $700,000 to upgrade police technology and equipment, with the goal of boosting officer safety, preventing crime and improving transparency.
City officials say the budget is based on conservative financial planning, informed by slower sales tax growth and national economic uncertainty. Still, the city is starting the fiscal year with a $2.7 million surplus, thanks to one-time revenue from investment earnings and landfill host fees.
Simi Valley collects $1 for every ton of waste dumped at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, according to WM.com, the facility’s operator. The landfill is permitted to take in up to 12,000 tons per day — roughly 3 million tons a year — which adds up to a meaningful source of local revenue. That money is being reinvested into infrastructure, equipment and projects that help the city stay ready during power outages and natural disasters.
The city has a full slate of improvement projects lined up for the year. Street repairs make up the largest chunk, with 16 projects covering nearly 19 miles of road — all together, they’ll cost just under $8 million. About $2 million will go to five traffic-related upgrades, like signal improvements and safer intersections across almost six miles of busy routes. On the water side, the city is tackling 10 smaller pipeline projects, about a mile and a half’s worth, to fix aging infrastructure and keep things flowing. There’s also a nearly $700,000 investment in technology upgrades to improve how city systems run behind the scenes.
More than $5 million is budgeted for transit upgrades, including $2.4 million to help launch a new microtransit pilot program this summer. Microtransit is like a ride-hailing service run by the city — residents can book same-day, curb-to-curb rides by phone or app. It’s designed to be a flexible alternative to regular bus routes, especially for people who don’t drive or live far from major stops.
An interactive map of the capital projects is available at www.simivalley.org/cipmap so residents can see what’s happening in their neighborhoods.
City Manager Samantha Argabrite credited city staff for building the budget, calling it a “shared commitment to service excellence.”
“More than 500 employees continue to provide high-quality services in every area — public safety, planning, housing, community services, technology and programs for seniors and youth,” she said. “Their work is what drives progress and ensures we are delivering real value to the community.”
Still, not all residents agree with how the city allocates its resources. At a May 27 public meeting, some questioned why police spending continues to take such a large share of the budget and called for more support for other community services. Others voiced concerns about long-term priorities and transparency.
The city’s budget maintains a conservative approach, supported by strong reserves and a AAA credit rating. Officials say that helps protect core services and keep Simi Valley financially stable. The finalized Adopted Budget Book will be published in August at www.simivalley.org/budget.
