San Jose budget hearing: seniors, immigrants, and fire engines on line

San Jose
City Council Meeting
May 12, 2026

TL;DR

• The budget hearing drew speakers on three flashpoints. The proposed budget includes $500,000 for immigration legal services, down from last year's $1 million. It also reconfigures a wildland fire engine in District 8. Senior advocates flagged a 42% cut already in effect from last year. No action taken; the council returns to the budget on June 8.
• The airport master plan was amended to lower the 2037 passenger forecast from 22.5 million to 17 million. It also restructures roughly 90 capital projects and adds planning for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
• Commercial trash rates rise 3.29% on July 1 under the Republic Services franchise.
• A pilot program launched to help low-income water customers of the San José Municipal Water System.

What happened

1. Budget hearing surfaces cuts to senior services, immigration legal aid, and wildland fire staffing
   1. Dozens of residents spoke at the May 12 public hearing on the city's proposed 2026-2027 budget. Three items drew most of the speakers. Senior advocates from SourceWise, SALA, Vivo, and Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits said the older adult health and wellness grant was cut 42% last year. They said further cuts are on the table. Immigration advocates from Amigos de Guadalupe and others said the proposed $500,000 for immigration legal services is half of last year's allocation. Villages residents in District 8 said a proposed change to wildland fire engine staffing would put homes near Johnson Ranch at greater risk.
   2. What this means for you: The council took no action at the hearing. If you live near the foothills in District 8, the proposed budget would change the wildland engine staffing from a Type 6 to a Type 3 engine. The Type 3 is larger with more water capacity but may limit access on narrow and steep terrain. The change is on page 527 of the proposed operating budget. City Manager Jennifer Maguire said the change is not expected to adversely impact operational readiness. She shared the fire chief's email for residents with questions. Councilmember Kamei pointed to Attachment E of the budget message. It contains a contingency plan with deeper cuts if a June ballot measure does not pass, including 25 positions from the library. The council returns to the budget on June 8.
2. Airport master plan cuts 2037 passenger forecast by more than 5 million
   1. The council approved a major amendment to the San José Mineta International Airport master plan. The amendment lowers the airport's long-term passenger forecast from 22.5 million annual passengers by 2037 to 17 million. It restructures roughly 90 capital projects and updates aviation demand forecasts. It also adds new planning for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs. Archer, a major eVTOL manufacturer, is based in San Jose. The vote was 11-0.
   2. What this means for you: The airport is planning for slower growth than it expected before the pandemic. Aviation director Mookie Patel said the airport projects flat traffic at 10 million passengers for the next two years. Business aviation, including private jets, has grown faster than projected. The master plan opens a 6-acre parcel on the northwest corner of De La Cruz Boulevard for aviation-related development. An RFP is coming this fall. The amendment also clears the way for the airport to plan vertiports for eVTOL aircraft on airport property.
3. Commercial trash rates rise 3.29% on July 1
   1. The council approved a 3.29% increase in maximum commercial solid waste rates for the fiscal year starting July 1. The increase falls under the Republic Services franchise agreement and includes organics processing costs. The vote was 11-0 with no public comment and no staff presentation.
   2. What this means for you: If you run a business in San Jose, your commercial trash and recycling rates rise July 1. The increase applies to the maximum rates allowed under the franchise.
4. Water customer assistance pilot launches
   1. The council approved a financial assistance pilot for low-income and vulnerable customers of the San José Municipal Water System. The system serves parts of Council Districts 2, 4, 7, and 8. The vote was 11-0 on the consent calendar.
   2. What this means for you: If you struggle to pay your water bill and you're served by the San José Municipal Water System, the new pilot is meant for you. Councilmember Candelas, who pulled the item for comment, said he plans to track the pilot and help with outreach to applicants. He attended a recent Santa Clara Valley Water Commission meeting where commissioners challenged member cities to act on water rate assistance.

What residents brought up

• A SourceWise client and Willow Glen resident told the council the senior counseling program helped her resolve a $500 Sutter Health billing error after three years. She said it also helped her find an affordable Part D drug plan after her premium jumped to $156 a month. The program's $300,000 budget was cut 42% last year.
• An organizer with Amigos de Guadalupe said that without full immigration funding, the Rapid Response Network could lose dispatch days for its 24/7 ICE hotline. He said four legal service organizations providing emergency representation to detained residents could also be cut. He noted San Jose detentions impact residents across 22 zip codes. A separate resident said the $500,000 in philanthropic funding pledged by council members in May 2025 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza has not been raised.
• A District 8 resident and chair of The Villages Firewise committee told the council that 90% of wildfires in the wildland-urban interface are started by flying embers. She said residents rely on a specialized wildland truck for tight spaces. She cited a National Interagency Fire Center forecast of high fire danger expanding into Northern California by July. Another Villages resident said a fire evacuation would bottleneck on San Felipe Road. She said neighboring developments have padlocked their emergency egress gates.

Also happened

• The council extended the city's banking and merchant card services agreements with Wells Fargo Bank through December 31, 2026.
• The council increased the cap on a Kitchell/CEM consulting contract by $700,000, to a total of $1 million, for construction management on city housing projects.
• The council deferred the establishment of the East Village Business Improvement District to June 2, 2026.
• The council adjourned in memory of Thomas "Tommy" Nuñez, a 30-year NBA referee, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, founder of the National Hispanic Basketball Classic, and the first Mexican-American referee in professional sports. He passed away April 24, 2026.
• The council proclaimed May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month, and May 5, 2026 as National Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Awareness Day. The Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley asked the city to create an MMIP task force.
• The council accepted a status report on the SJ26 major events program, covering Super Bowl LX, the NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional, and FIFA World Cup planning.

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