Diamond Bar, California Development News
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Diamond Bar City Council Meeting July 21, 2026
Published: Jul 21, 2026
City Council Considers One-Cent Sales Tax Measure to Address Structural Deficit
The City Council is considering placing a one-cent local transactions and use tax (TUT) measure on the ballot to address a forecasted structural deficit. The city faces increasing costs for services like public safety (sheriff's contract up over $2 million since 2018) and infrastructure maintenance, while revenues are not keeping pace with inflation. To mitigate this, the city has already implemented budget cuts exceeding $2 million, optimized service delivery, and is exploring economic development. The proposed TUT would generate an estimated $6 million annually for general purposes, including public safety, infrastructure, and parks. The city has conducted extensive public outreach, including 18 town hall meetings and surveys, to inform residents about the fiscal challenges. The measure requires a two-thirds council vote to be placed on the ballot and a simple majority of voters to pass, potentially taking effect in April 2027. Concerns were raised by a council member regarding the regressive nature of sales tax and its impact on lower-income residents, while others emphasized the necessity of the measure to maintain city services and quality of life, citing the depletion of reserves and the need for sustainable local funding.
Walnut Valley Water District Celebrates 40 Years of Recycled Water Service
The Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) presented on the 40th anniversary of its recycled water system, highlighting its significant contributions to water supply reliability and community beautification. The system, established in 1986, has grown from 17 miles of pipe and 21 connections to 42 miles of pipeline serving 360 recycled water connections. This recycled water has saved approximately 75,000 acre-feet of potable water, equating to an estimated $56 million in savings based on current costs. The WVWD serves about 100,000 people through 27,000 potable service connections and has a 40-year history of utilizing recycled water from the Pomona Reclamation Facility. The district also discussed its proactive cross-connection control program to protect the potable water system and its unique heli-hydrant installation with the County Fire Department for wildfire response. Looking ahead, WVWD plans to expand storage and connect with the Rowland Water District system for increased resiliency.
New Sheriff's Lieutenant Introduced; Catalytic Converter Etching Event Announced
The City Council welcomed Alex Kim as the new Operations Lieutenant for the Sheriff's Department, who introduced himself and shared his 28 years of experience within the department, including time with the Special Enforcement Bureau (SWAT) and various patrol assignments. He expressed his commitment to serving the community and working with the council. Separately, the council was informed about an upcoming free catalytic converter etching event on July 22nd, organized by the Sheriff's Department, aimed at deterring theft. Additionally, Councilmember Liu reminded residents about the increase in West Nile positive mosquitoes and urged them to take precautions such as emptying standing water and reporting dead birds or pools with standing water to the district. He also encouraged residents to stay hydrated during the hot weather.
City Explores Strategies to Revitalize Economy and Improve Business Climate
The council discussed ongoing efforts to revitalize the local economy and attract businesses to Diamond Bar, particularly in light of the long-term economic challenges and the city's structural deficit. While the recently adopted town center specific plan is expected to incentivize future development, it will take several years to realize. In the interim, the city is focused on recruiting and retaining businesses, and revitalizing commercial centers that need improvement. Councilmember Tang raised concerns about the difficulty of doing business in the city and the complexity of acquiring business licenses, suggesting a review of the city code to simplify processes and make the city more business-friendly. The city manager confirmed that the council has directed staff to review the development code. Discussions also touched upon the city's historical limitations in attracting businesses compared to neighboring cities, due to the lack of an operating redevelopment agency with tax increment financing tools.
Council Considers Subcommittee for Tax Revenue Allocation Feedback; Discusses City Governance and Advocacy
Councilmember Chow proposed establishing a subcommittee of council members to provide a mechanism for residents to offer feedback on how potential tax revenues from a future transactions and use tax (TUT) measure are allocated. This would supplement the existing public budgeting process and ensure residents' priorities, such as public safety and infrastructure, are addressed. Mayor Pro Tem Lo supported the idea, emphasizing the already public and transparent nature of council meetings and budgeting but acknowledging the value of greater accessibility for input. Councilmember Tang also supported increased outreach and collaboration with other cities and regional organizations to address city finances and advocate for better state/county revenue allocation. The City Attorney clarified that cities cannot use public funds for political campaigns but can provide educational information and that the city does have a subcommittee for position letters on state bills and engages in regional advocacy work. It was also noted that changing property tax allocation is virtually impossible due to Proposition 13 and would require a constitutional amendment. The discussion highlighted the challenges cities face in securing adequate local revenue and the importance of proactive advocacy and public engagement.
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