Budget in Brief
Fiscal Year 2025/26 & 2026/27
City Council
On June 3, 2025, the City Council voted to approve the City of Murrieta Biennial Budget for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 and 2026/27
Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Program Budget, which is for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The budgets were meticulously designed with the community in mind, and addressing today’s services as well as long-range planning.
City Council leads their vision with a list of goals:
Provide a high level of innovative public safety
Aggressively pursue economic development
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability, and organizational efficiency
Plan, program and create infrastructure development
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community
The City's budget reflects a commitment to responsible financial planning, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support essential services and community priorities. This year's budget emphasizes strategic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and long-term sustainability while maintaining fiscal stability. By leveraging data-driven decision-making, the City continues to enhance operational efficiency and optimize the use of taxpayer funds. Through transparency and collaboration, we remain dedicated to fostering a thriving, resilient community for all residents.
While the Budget in Brief shares highlights of the City of Murrieta Budget, it could not have been possible without the financial stewardship, forward thinking, and prudent preservation of public funds by the City Council, the City Manager, management, and staff. For a more in-depth view of the full budget, please visit www.murrietaca.gov/169/ Cindy Warren Mayor District 5 Jon Levell Mayor Pro Tempore District 1 Ron Holliday Council Member District 2 Lisa DeForest Council Member District 3 Lori Stone Council Member District 4
Executive Team
Justin Clifton City Manager
Kristen Crane Assistant City Manager
Scott Agajanian Economic Development Director
Brian Ambrose Community Services Director
Javier Carcamo Director of Finance
David Chantarangsu Development Services Director
Diego Chavez Administrative Services Director
Brian Crawford Director of Municipal Services
Matthew Henry Police Chief
Cristal McDonald City Clerk
Bob Moehling Director of Engineering
Bernard Molloy Fire Chief
The City of Murrieta has a strong and stable economy, with approximately 6 million sq ft of retail space, a daytime population of over 100,000, high education rates, and an average family income over $139K. Nationally recognized school district - Top 10% high schools in the U.S. Consistently ranked one of the best cities to raise a family in California.
In 2020, the Press-Enterprise ranked Murrieta the #1 City to live in Southwest Riverside County, and readers of Inland Empire Magazine ranked it the 2024 Best City in the Inland Empire.
According to the FBI, Murrieta Ranked #1 safest regarding crimes against property and 3rd safest regarding crimes against persons compared to NIBRS reporting cities in the State of California with a similar population (100,000-249,999). Consistently ranked in the top 10 safest city in the U.S. for population of 100,000 or more.
Top 25 Sales Tax
Producers in Murrieta
7-Eleven
Abramovich
Albertsons
Best
BMW
Burlington
Carmax
Costco
Financial
Giant
Home
Jerome's
Kohls
Top 10 Largest Employers in Murrieta
Citywide Revenue Sources
Citywide Revenue Sources
FY2025/26RevenueSourcesby%
Taxes-SalesTax Taxes-Property
OtherMiscRevenue ChargesforServices
SpecialAssessments
Taxes-VLF/PropertyTaxComp
Taxes-SpecialTaxes(CFD)
Taxes-Franchises Taxes-Other
License/PermitFees
Taxes-TransientOccupancyTax
Taxes-BusinessLicenses
Taxes-PropertyTransfer
ChrgforSvc-WasteManagement
PrivateDonations
FY2026/27RevenueSourcesby%
Taxes-SalesTax Taxes-Property
OtherMiscRevenue ChargesforServices
SpecialAssessments
Taxes-VLF/PropertyTaxComp
Taxes-SpecialTaxes(CFD)
Taxes-Franchises Taxes-Other
License/PermitFees
Taxes-TransientOccupancyTax
Taxes-BusinessLicenses
Taxes-PropertyTransfer
ChrgforSvc-WasteManagement
Citywide Revenue by Fund
Citywide Expenditure Budget by Category
FY2025/26ExpenditureCategories by%
FY2026/27ExpenditureCategories by%
Citywide Expenditure Budget by Fund
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Infrastructure Improvements
Murrieta Hot Springs Road Rehabilitation: Completed an asphalt overlay from Margarita Road to Whitewood Road, funded through the CalRecycle Rubberized Pavement Grant Program, Gas Tax, and Senate Bill 1/Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account.
Traffic Flow Enhancements: Constructing a right-turn pocket on eastbound Murrieta Hot Springs Road at Alta Murrieta Drive, along with traffic signal modifications.
Citywide Slurry Seal Project: Resurfaced approximately 25% of non-arterial streets to extend pavement life and maintain road quality.
Pedestrian Safety Upgrades: Installed ADA-compliant sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps to improve accessibility.
Washington Avenue & Weeping Willow Lane Traffic Signal: Installed a new traffic signal at this intersection to enhance safety, and improve vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Water Infrastructure Improvements: Partnering with water treatment facilities and replaced aging pipe lines to ensure reliable water supply.
Capital Improvement Projects
New Fire Station: Designing a new fire station to improve emergency response times and public safety.
Public Facility Upgrades: Addressed deferred maintenance issues at various Citywide facilities to improve and expand services to citizens.
Enhanced Park Facilities: Community Services District (CSD) constructed and rehabilitated nine (9) tot lots citywide
Lane Visibility Enhancements: Improving lane visibility and road connectivity by re-striping existing roadways
Capital Outlay
New Fire Engine Acquisition: Awaiting completion and delivery of a state-of-the-art tiller fire engine to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Grant-Funded Generator Installations: Construction is underway for replacement generators at Fire Station 1 and City Hall to ensure operational continuity.
Public Safety Equipment Upgrades: Procured advanced firefighting and law enforcement equipment to improve emergency response.
Legislative Advocacy Initiatives: Advocating on legislative bills and directly to elected officials in Sacramento and Washington D.C. based and on the overarching principles of prudent fiscal stability, protection of local control, and transparent government.
One-Time Expenditures
Economic Development Incentives: Invested matching funds in local business development efforts to stimulate economic growth, attract new enterprises, and generate quality jobs within the city.
Training Preparedness Investments: Purchased and waiting on delivery of the Police Department’s Mobile Command Post (MCP), additional disaster response equipment and supplies, and trainings for Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue.
Investing in the Community & Future
Large & Small Scale Projects CIP#
Fire Station 6
Town Square Parking Lot and Monument Sign
Phase II Los Alamos Soccer Complex
Keller Road and Interstate 215 Interchange
Library Expansion
Murrieta Hot Springs Road Widening
General Fund, Measure T, General Capital, DIF - Fire
Measure T, General Capital, Gas Tax, ARPA Funds
DIF - Park Land, DIF - Streets, Gas Tax, Unfunded
DIF - Freeway, DIF - Streets & Bridges, TUMF, State Trans Imprv Prog, RDA Tax Allocation Bond
Measure T, DIF - Library, Library Fund, Library Grants
General Capital, DIF - Streets, TUMF, Measure A, Gas Tax, Reimbursement Agreement, RCTC Grant
Pickleball Courts General Capital, ARPA Funds
Murrieta Innovation Center Improvements
Tot Lot Rehab and Replacements
Oak Terrace, Alta Murrieta, Eastgate, Rancho Acacia, Sycamore, Palomar, Northstar, Monte Vista, Firefighters
Glen Arbor Dog Park
General Fund, General Capital, Other Grants, Federal Grants
DIF - Park Land, LLD 19 Murrieta Oaks Fund, Measure T, Zone B Funds, LLD 21 Northstar Fund, CFD Bond Proceeds, LLD 16 Mapleton Fund
General Capital, DIF - Park Land, RSA, Zone B Funds, Prop 68 Grant Fund
For a more in-depth view of the Capital Improvement Plan, please visit www.murrietaca.gov/169/Budget-Management.com
Investing in the Community & Future
4 500-sqft planned expansion of the children’s section of the Murrieta public library
Measure-T Funded Projects (clockwise):
Rancho Acacias Park Tot Lot
Alta Murrieta Sports Park Tot Lot
Eastgate Park Tot Lot
Sycamore Park Tot Lot
Measure-T Funded: Management Analyst Assistant for Homeless Services Park Ranger
Investing in the Community & Future
Measure-T Funded Apparatus
Awards & Recognitions
Best City Award: In 2023, Murrieta was named "Best City" by readers of Inland Empire Magazine, recognizing its strong governance and community development.
Public Safety Leadership: In 2025, Murrieta was ranked as one of California’s Top 20 Safest Cities, third among cities with populations over 100,000 and first in the Inland Empire Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse Award: In 2023, Murrieta was honored for fostering business growth through strategic partnerships, specifically the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort project, resulting in increased local employment opportunities.
Murrieta Innovation Center Grant: Murrieta received a $2.4 million federal grant in 2025 to expand its Innovation Center, funding new wet and dry labs, a cleanroom, and upgraded office space to support life science startups .
Capital Budget Excellence Award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for the Capital Improvement Plan & Budget for (Fiscal Year) FY 2024/25.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: In 2024, Murrieta received commendations for its clear and accessible financial reporting, reinforcing its commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award: In 2024, Honors governments that make financial information transparent, accessible, and engaging for the public.
Budget Award from the Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) for the FY 2023/24 and FY 2024/25 Biennial Budget Report.
2024 GFOA’s Triple Crown: recognizes governments that have received GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
Major Accomplishments
65 authorized positions funded by Measure T since inception
30 Police Public Safety Positions
14 Fire Public Safety Positions
21 Non-Public Safety Positions
Fleet Replacement: $4 million towards replacing Murrieta fleet vehicles and apparatuses.
New Fire Fleet Vehicles: The city is acquiring new fire engines to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Legislative Advocacy Initiatives: The city successfully organized advocacy trips to Washington, DC, and Sacramento to secure funding for local projects.
