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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Presentation of the Strategic Planning Retreat Summary from Gorman Partners, LLC; and (2) Ratification of the City Council 2026 Strategic Priorities and Key Indicators
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Meeting Date: April 27, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Lea Eriksen/City Manager Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6007
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/23/2026); (Email) Ongoing Topics - Fiscal and Budget Issues (04/23/2026)
Department Approval: Lea Eriksen, Senior Assistant City Manager (04/23/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) receive a presentation of the Strategic Planning Retreat Summary from Gorman Partners, LLC; and (2) ratify the City Council strategic priorities and the key performance and community indicators (collectively, “key indicators”) developed during the strategic planning retreat.
BACKGROUND
On February 14, 2026, the City Council held a day-long Special Strategic Planning Meeting and Financial Summit. As part of the discussion, the Facilitator Gorman Partners LLC, facilitated a discussion with City Council on strategic priorities and key indicators. These strategic priorities and key indicators need to be ratified by City Council to finalize the development of the FY 2026-2027 Budget. See Strategic Planning Retreat Summary Report (Attachment 1) for more context.
DISCUSSION
The February 2026 Strategic Planning Retreat brought together the City Council and executive leadership for a full-day session designed to establish shared priorities, strengthen alignment, and create a clear framework for decision-making in the year ahead. The retreat was convened to support a period of strategic reflection and to guide the development of a balanced FY 2026-2027 budget grounded in community needs and long-term fiscal responsibility. It provided a structured environment for clarifying expectations, reviewing financial realities, and identifying the strategic direction necessary to sustain high-quality services and advance community well-being. A central component of the retreat was a Financial Summit, which offered a candid assessment of the City’s fiscal condition presented by Ernst & Young (accounting and consulting firm) as well as City staff. The analysis highlighted that while revenues have grown, expenditures continue to outpace them, resulting in a structurally unbalanced budget and declining reserves. Participants examined the drivers of long-term deficits including rising personnel costs, expanded service demands, deferred infrastructure needs, and revenue volatility, and discussed the importance of disciplined priority setting, long-term financial planning, and data-driven decision-making.
Building on this financial context, the Council reviewed the City’s existing strategic priorities to assess their continued relevance. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of long-term financial sustainability, investment in public infrastructure and community spaces, and strengthening overall affordability, housing and homelessness services. Council members emphasized that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and deepened community engagement must be embedded across all priorities to ensure fairness, transparency, and meaningful participation. Additional emerging areas such as economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and public transit and mobility were also identified as important considerations for future planning cycles.
Staff is recommending that City Council ratify the following Council 2026 Strategic Priorities and Key Indicators to inform the development of the FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget:
1. Strengthen long-term financial sustainability
Responsible stewardship of public resources in the face of ongoing fiscal pressures. Stabilize the budget, diversify revenue, improve long-term financial planning, and increase public transparency
Key Indicators:
• Budget stability and fiscal balance
• Revenue growth and diversification
• Reduction in financial liabilities
• Increased public understanding of budgeting
• Improved accountability and transparency
2. Invest in public infrastructure and community spaces
Safe, accessible, and well-maintained facilities support quality of life. Encompasses roads, sidewalks, parks, public buildings, and mobility systems across the community.
Key Indicators:
• Improved sidewalk and road condition ratings
• Increased accessibility metrics
• Reduced infrastructure liabilities and risks
• Increased public transit reliability
• Improved traffic flow and safety
• Increased usability of parks and community spaces
3. Enhance affordability and address homelessness
Expand housing opportunities, strengthen coordinated services, address affordability and homelessness prevention, and support robust social safety systems for residents.
Key Indicators:
• Reduction in food insecurity
• Reduction in number of unhoused residents
• Reduction in residents at risk of homelessness
• Increased prevention of housing insecurity
• Increase in permanent housing placements
• Increased effectiveness of housing programs
• Improved feedback and program evaluation systems
Once priorities are ratified, staff will continue to refine and operationalize the key indicators and finalize the development of the FY 2026-2027 budget, enabling the City to allocate resources in a way that reflects both fiscal realities and community values. Community input will continue to be an important part of this year’s budget process. The planned budget schedule includes:
• Monday, May 11 - City Council Meeting to include delivery of the Proposed Budget and budget overview presentation
• Wednesday, May 13 - “Let's Talk Budget, Culver City” Community Conversation, 6:30 PM at Culver West Alexander Park
• Saturday, May 16 - “Let's Talk Budget, Culver City” Community Conversation, 1:30 PM at the Culver City Senior Center
• Tuesday, May 26 - City Council Meeting Discussion Session on Proposed Budget
o Public Hearing to Present/Adopt User Fee Update
o Public Hearing to Present/Adopt Refuse Rate Update
• Monday, June 8 - City Council Meeting - Public Hearing Budget Adoption
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact from this item and any fiscal impacts from the Council priorities will be reflected in the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Strategic Planning Retreat Summary Report
2. Strategic Planning Retreat Summary Presentation
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Receive a Strategic Planning Retreat Summary presentation from Gorman Partners, LLC; and
2. Ratify Council Strategic Priorities and Key Indicators.