Council Trims Budget but Draws the Line at State Advocacy

Pinole's City Council found quick consensus on cutting discretionary spending at a special budget meeting — but not before a 2-2 split revealed sharp disagreement over whether the city can afford to lose its voice in Sacramento.

• Council cuts National League of Cities membership, ABAG stipend, and dinner budgets to free up roughly $2,950 heading into FY 26-27
• Cal Cities membership survives after initial motion to eliminate it fails 2-2, exposing a fault line over the value of state-level advocacy for a small city
• Potential $8,000 mid-year expense already on the horizon, underscoring the tight fiscal environment driving the cuts

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Small Dollars, Big Debate: Cal Cities Membership Splits the Council

Mayor Anthony Tave pulled two consent calendar items to propose a package of discretionary budget cuts, arguing the city needs to tighten up ahead of a fiscal year with rising costs and limited flexibility. His targets: the $1,700 National League of Cities membership, a $250 ABAG delegate stipend that he said has never been used for reimbursement, two $400 dinner allocations from the City Council and City Manager budgets, and — most controversially — the $7,685 Cal Cities (League of California Cities) membership.

Why it matters: For a small city like Pinole, which does not employ its own lobbyist, Cal Cities is the primary channel for state-level advocacy. The organization's lobbyists represent member cities on legislation affecting local revenues, land use, public safety, and more. Cutting it would save money but could leave Pinole without a seat at the table when Sacramento makes decisions that directly affect small-city budgets.

Where things stand: Tave argued the council wasn't fully leveraging the membership. "I don't think that our council has had a letter of support in support of any items of Cal Cities as it relates to bills," said Mayor Tave. "I don't remember the last time we've had anyone suggest something to support that way." He framed the package as roughly $10,000 in responsible savings. "We need to cut a lot of money in our budget. Our staff has done a tremendous job," he said. "I think cutting from those pieces and saving $10,000 is the responsible thing to do for all of us."

He also flagged that the NLC membership, at $1,700, was expendable: "I think that's a membership that we can do without."

The other side: Councilmember Maureen Toms pushed back firmly on the Cal Cities cut, arguing the membership provides lobbying, conferences, roundtables, and training that small cities cannot replicate on their own. "Without having our own city lobbyist, Cal Cities, our city would be folded into being represented by the Cal Cities lobbyists who always are doing the work on behalf of cities, especially the smaller cities," she said. Toms also pointed to the educational resources: "There are webinars on all kinds of different topics. Whether you take advantage of those as a council member, it's up to you, but they are an option."

Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin reinforced the point, highlighting the monthly East Bay Division meetings. "We hear a report by our regional manager, East Bay Division, on what the lobbyists have been doing," she said, underscoring that the membership delivers ongoing, structured updates — not just an annual conference.

Decisions: Tave's first motion — cutting all the items including the Cal Cities membership — failed on a 2-2 vote (For: Mayor Tave, Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy; Against: Councilmember Toms, Councilmember Martinez-Rubin; Absent: Councilmember Cameron Sasai). Councilmember Toms then moved a revised package retaining the Cal Cities membership but proceeding with the other cuts — NLC membership ($1,700), ABAG delegate stipend ($250), and dinner allocations ($800 total). Mayor Pro Tem Murphy seconded, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0 (Sasai absent).

What's next: Tave noted that a potential $8,000 mid-year expense is already being discussed, and the savings could help cover it. "This is a great use of that money potentially if we're going to have a surplus and then look at that $10,000 surplus mid-year," he said. The debate signals a budget-tightening posture heading into FY 26-27, with larger spending decisions likely ahead as labor negotiations continue and election costs rise.

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Minor Items

• Closed session on labor negotiations was held under Government Code 54957.6 before the open session; no reportable action was disclosed.
• Election cost estimates for the coming fiscal year have increased, per information shared with finance staff.
• Consent calendar item 7A was approved without discussion.
• The meeting adjourned in remembrance of Amber Schwartz, with the next regular session set for July 7, 2026.