Members of the Citrus Heights City Council present Jersey Mike's sub and sandwich shop on 5855 Sunrise Boulevard with its fourth quarter "Business of Distinction" Award for living out the shared values of diversity, innovation, integrity, teamwork, respect, responsive customer service and trust.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – The City of Citrus Heights reflected on a year of exceptional progress during its annual State of the City address Thursday, Nov. 5, in council chambers. The 2026 accomplishments were plentiful, with city leaders also highlighting a promising new vision for Sunrise Mall.

The council chamber was filled to near capacity as invited guests, representatives of community groups and business leaders heard a month-by month summary of major accomplishments and civic milestones which helped shape the community during the past year. A reception sponsored by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce preceded the State of the City address.

The annual State of the City address showcased significant public safety, infrastructure, community engagement and economic growth achievements during the past year.

Members of the Mesa Verde High School band performed the national anthem before opening remarks were given by Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff.

City Manager Ash Feeney then provided an assessment of the city’s general fiscal health highlighting the goals and priorities of the city’s adopted Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget.

During the event program, the city also presented its annual “Business of Distinction” award for community involvement to local franchisee representatives of Jersey Mikes, a sandwich restaurant on Sunrise Boulevard.

The mayor thanked her colleagues on the City Council for their service to the community and their partnership during her term in office.

Lopez-Taff reflected on the importance of service which helps the city become a much better place.

“It’s much more than a mindset,” she said, taking time to recognize so many volunteers and community members who have contributed their time and talents during the past year to make a difference in the lives of others.

The mayor also recognized a substantial number of younger members of the community from the city’s middle and high schools who have stepped forward to participate in Youth in Government Day and those who have been sworn into serve on the city’s new Youth Advisory Commission.

Lopez-Taff recognized city staff for helping to get the Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 across the finish line and also recognized individual members of The Mettle Group in attendance which will be developing the new sports complex at Sunrise Mall and help usher in a new vision for Sunrise Mall.

“Good local government starts with understanding community priorities and making responsible decisions about limited resources,” said city manager Ash Feeney in his opening remarks.

“The city’s current budget protects essential services while continuing to invest in streets, infrastructure, public safety and the long-term vitality of our city,” Feeney said. “It also recognizes important fiscal reality – that the cost of delivering services is rising faster than existing revenues.”

Feeney emphasized that the FY 2026-27 budget is “balanced, maintains healthy reserve levels and continues to support services residents expect.”

The city recently published a Budget in Brief, highlighting the city’s Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget at a glance.

Some 58 percent of the city’s General Fund spending specifically supports police services, and that total revenue exceeds $47 million.

“A balanced budget reflects the city’s commitment to fiscal prudence and to the community which we are privileged to serve,” Feeney said.

“Meeting community needs in this environment requires thoughtful prioritization, continued efficiency and a clear view of the years ahead.”

The city enters the new fiscal year with “strong General Fund reserves that remain above minimum policy requirements.”

“These reserves reflect years of disciplined financial management, but the full balance is not available to spend. Much of it is already accounted for in the City’s long-term forecast and will be drawn down in future years to support street resurfacing, necessary capital improvements and other anticipated costs,” Feeney said.

“Responsible stewardship requires looking beyond a single balanced year. We must address financial pressures early, align ongoing expenses with dependable revenue and provide flexibility for future needs,” Feeney said.

The city must also continue pursuing grants, building partnerships and supporting economic investment which expands the city’s revenue base and helps local resources go further, he said.

“This approach is essential to maintaining reliable services and continuing the fiscally responsible progress our City Council and community expect,” he concluded.

Early this summer the city dissolved the Citrus Heights Police Department’s dedicated traffic unit as part of a long-range budget forecast decision.

According to the city, the restructuring is expected to save $975,000 during the 2026-27 fiscal year and roughly $1.24 million the following year. Savings largely offset the estimated $1.11 million cost of the labor agreement compensation packages.

Feeney highlighted the city’s continued focus on infrastructure, citing $4 million from the General Fund allocated toward improving more streets.

Overall, the city’s Capital Improvement Program directs $18.3 million in grants, restricted funds and resources toward infrastructure, according to the city.

$8 million in Capital Funds are being invested in pavement restoration, with another $4.4 million toward complete streets projects. Additionally, the city lists investments of $3 million for traffic, bike and pedestrian enhancements, $1.5 million for trails, $800,000 toward bridges, $415,000 toward facilities and technology and $125,000 toward stormwater in its FY 2026/27 budget.

Ongoing critical city council priorities continue to be the maintenance and enhancement of fiscal stability while supporting operational excellence, Feeney said.

“The city also seeks to preserve and enhance public safety, community vibrance and engagement and encourage diversity for a vibrant economy.”

Topping the list of accomplishments during 2026, the city recognized a property agreement milestone and its partnership with The Mettle Shop and Tallen Capital Partners to develop the Sunrise Sports Complex, advancing a catalyst project for the redevelopment of approximately 13 acres of Sunrise Mall.

Some 742 new businesses were welcomed to the city of Citrus Heights last year. The city also awarded its first four Business of Distinction awards to local businesses during the calendar year.

Vacant property blight was also addressed with the adoption of a new city Commercial Property Re-occupancy Ordinance to keep commercial spaces safe.

Three eligible census tracts were nominated for Opportunity zone designation to encourage private investment and revitalization. A new Chamber membership partnership for first-time Citrus Heights business members was also introduced.

CHPD reported 65,700 calls for service were answered during the year. The city saw a 54 percent decrease in calls for illegal fireworks during the July 4 holiday.

Public Safety

The City of Citrus Heights celebrated 20 years of service by the Citrus Heights Police Department in 2026.

CHPD reported 65,700 calls for service were answered during the year. The city saw a 54 percent decrease in calls for illegal fireworks during the July 4 holiday.

In all, some 2,314 arrests were conducted by CHPD officers. A total of 2,346 traffic citations were issued, and five chronic nuisance enforcement cases were filed.

The city also reported a shift in resident sentiment on blight management from unfavorable to favorable in just three years. CHPD also saw a 42 percent reduction in homeless and blight-related calls for service over the past two years.

A recently modernized city network infrastructure has also helped to strengthen security, improve reliability and standardize technology in the city.

CHPD also partnered with the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce to launch Business Watch program, hosting two informational meetings designed to strengthen business safety partnerships.

The department also launched the Blue Envelope Project to help people with disabilities better communicate their needs to police and emergency responders

Community Engagement

In all, six new families moved into new Habitat for Humanity homes on Sayonara Drive. More families will move to additional new units in 2027 as additional homes of the project are completed.

The city also allocated nearly $350,000 in state housing funds for essential health and safety repairs for low-income homeowners. New construction also saw an increase in permit activity.

The city building department issued more than 3,200 building permits and processed 4,603 building plan review applications. Twenty-eight new auxiliary dwelling units (ADU) permits were issued.

Notable civic and cultural accomplishments during the past year included a partnership with Citrus Heights Arts to complete a City Hall mural celebrating local heritage and America’s 250th anniversary, the award of $20,000 to the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project to advance a permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial; hosting 25 local high school students for the first Youth in Government Day; recognition of community volunteers with the Chip-In Hall of Fame Awards and Volunteer Recognition event and the launch of “Postcards from Citrus Heights,” a photo contest to showcase the community’s urban forest.

More than 6,000 people attended the summer Stars and Stripes Celebration in Van Maren Park and many more enjoyed live music at two City Nights concert events held during the year.

Infrastructure

Multiple infrastructure projects were completed during the past year, the city reported.

The Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Phase 2 project was completed, improving the corridor for businesses and people walking, biking and driving along the route.

The city has also substantially completed much of its 2025 Road Resurfacing Project, improving 187 segments primarily in residential neighborhoods. In 2026, the city also partnered with Sacramento County to resurface a substantial portion of Madison Avenue from San Juan Avenue to Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Additional infrastructure improvements completed during the calendar year included safety improvements on Butternut Drive and Roseville Road and the final resurfacing layer on Antelope Road to improve overall ride quality.

The city has also secured a $3.5 million System Preservation Grant for future resurfacing of Auburn Boulevard from Manzanita Avenue to Sylvan Corners and Greenback Lane from Dewey Drive to Birdcage Street and has been awarded the first construction contracts for its upcoming 2027 road resurfacing projects.

In 2026, the city hosted outstanding community volunteers through the Chip-In Hall of Fame Awards and Volunteer Recognition event, mobilized Earth Day volunteers to clean and beautify public spaces and sponsored the annual “Big Day of Service,” mobilizing volunteers for 16 community improvement projects across the city.