In the Hills - Chino Hills City News and Recreation Guide Summer 2026

Preserving Our Quality of Life The current City of Chino Hills budget has a projected $2.2 million deficit this year, which will be covered by the City’s General Fund Reserves, or “savings account.” By 2030, that shortfall is expected to grow to over $4 million annually, and by 2034, the City’s available Reserves would be fully depleted.

City of Chino Hills

PRESERVING

OUR

What ' s at Risk Law Enforcement

Delayed 9-1-1 response times and fewer Sheriff’s deputies available to respond to emergencies, including burglaries, vehicle thefts, and other property crimes. Wildfire Preparedness Reduced ability to prepare for and respond to wildfires, investments in weed abatement, tree trimming, and brush clearing. Parks & Public Spaces Deferred landscaping and maintenance repairs at community parks, facilities, trails, and in open space areas. R ecreation Programs Fewer youth, teen, and senior programs, and eliminated free community events including Concerts and Movies in the Park, Easter Egg-Citement, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and more. City Services Reduced availability of community facilities and delayed customer service.

Why it ' s Happening The City’s budget deficit is not a result of overspending. The City’s two largest funding sources, property tax and sales tax, are not keeping pace with inflation and other increasing costs related to maintaining services and infrastructure demands. This is not unique to Chino Hills, as many neighboring cities are facing similar financial pressures and have already taken steps to secure additional locally-controlled funding sources. Public safety contracts, construction expenses, landscaping and park maintenance, wildfire prevention, and operating and utility costs continue to rise each year. Since 2020, the cost of police services with the Sheriff’s Department has increased by over $3 million, or 21%. Costs for landscaping and park maintenance to keep public spaces safe and clean have increased by about $4.2 million, or 40%, and costs for street repairs have also increased by about $750K, or 28%. At the same time, Chino Hills currently faces more than $8.6 million in unfunded maintenance and infrastructure needs. Funding for neighborhood landscaping and lighting maintenance falls short by nearly $4 million each year, requiring the City to make up the difference, and that gap is only expected to grow. The City has a limited set of options to address ongoing fiscal pressures. Without new, stable local revenue sources, the City will have to make additional reductions to services, and scale back future investments.

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In the Hills • (909) 364-2600