South El Monte News

CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR FINANCIAL EXCELLENCE

The City of South El Monte is proud to announce it has recently received two prestigious awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), recognizing the City’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in financial management.

FIRST-EVER DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD

On December 17, 2025, the City received its first Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the GFOA for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025. This award represents the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and marks a significant milestone for South El Monte.

To earn this distinction, the City’s budget document was evaluated against nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The GFOA assesses how well a budget functions as:

• A policy document

• A financial plan

• An operations guide

• A communications device

The City’s budget successfully achieved the required level of excellence across all four evaluation categories and fulfilled all fourteen mandatory criteria for the award. This achievement reflects the dedication of the City Council and staff to sound financial planning and clear communication with the community.

The award is valid for one year, as the City adopts a new budget each fiscal year. The City believes its budget will continue to meet the GFOA standards and will be submitted again once a budget is adopted for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

THIRD CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING

Continuing this momentum, on January 6, 2026, the City received its third Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA. Established in 1945, the Certificate of Achievement program is designed to encourage governments to go beyond minimum accounting requirements and demonstrate a strong commitment to transparency and full disclosure.

The City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 was reviewed by an impartial panel and found to meet the program’s rigorous standards. The report was recognized for clearly communicating the City’s financial story and reflecting a constructive “spirit of full disclosure.” This certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and is also valid for one year.

The certificate is valid for one year, as the City issues a new ACFR each fiscal year. The City believes its ACFR will continue to meet the GFOA standards and plans to submit its ACFR for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 at the end of this month.

A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

These awards underscore the City of South El Monte’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and excellence in public service. The City remains dedicated to maintaining high standards in financial reporting and budgeting to better serve residents, businesses, and stakeholders throughout the community.

SOUTH EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL

MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS

MAYOR PRO TEM RUDY BOJORQUEZ

COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA

COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO COUNCILMEMBER LARRY RODRIGUEZ

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

The City Council holds regular meeting on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Regular meetings start at 6:00 P.M.

Questions or Assistance

For additional information, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 579-6540 ext. 3280.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

February 3 & 17

To view Agendas or Agenda packets use the side QR Code, scroll down to the current and upcoming events section.

CITY MANAGER

RENE SALAS

CITY CLERK

ADRIAN GARCIA

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR

ARIANA DE LA CRUZ

FINANCE DIRECTOR

MASAMI HIGA

HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

IYOB TESSEMA

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR GERARDO MARQUEZ

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

DAVID DE VRIES

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS

ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN/GIRLSMeets Quarterly / Upcoming Meeting

COMMUNITY SERVICES - Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 P.M.

HOMELESS – Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 P.M.

PATRIOTIC - Meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 P.M

PLANNING - Meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 P.M

Agenda and Meeting Minutes are available on the City’s website at cityofsouthelmonte.org

CONNECT WITH US CITYOFSOUTHELMONTE.ORG

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CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE PRESENTATIONS

Awards presented to the 2025 Holiday Home Decorating Contest Winners. Certificates

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS

ANIMAL CONTROL (SEAACA)

(562) 803-3301

ANONYMOUS NARCOTICS TIP LINE (626) 292-3375

BUSINESS LICENSES (626) 332-5797

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (626) 443-0180

GREATER EL MONTE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (626) 579-7777

HOUSING RIGHTS HOTLINE (800) 477-5977

LA COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE (626) 258-6001

LA COUNTY SOCIAL PROGRAMS 211

LA COUNTY WHITTIER NARROWS

(626) 575-5526

LIBRARY (626) 443-4158

POST OFFICE (800) 275-8777

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SERVICE CENTER (626) 575-5431

SUPERVISOR HILDA L. SOLIS OFFICE (626) 350-4500

VECTOR CONTROL (562) 944-9656

UTILITY COMPANIES

ATHENS SERVICES (TRASH/STREET SWEEPING) (888) 336-6100

EDISON (800) 655-4555

GAS COMPANY (800) 427-2000 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER COMPANY (626) 448-6183

SPECTRUM (888) 369-2808

CITY YARD

COMMUNITY CENTER

SENIOR CENTER

SHERIFF’S TEMPLE

(626)

• LASD.ORG/TEMPLE 911 FOR LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES OR IN-PROGRESS CRIMES

HOMELESS RESOURCES

LAHSA (LOS ANGELES HOMELESS SERVICES AUTHORITY) MAKE A HOMELESS OUTREACH REQUEST AT LA-HOP.ORG OR DIAL 211

SOUTH EL MONTE CLEAN UP WEEK

Athens

Residents of South El Monte

COMPOST EVENT

SEMANA DE LIMPIEZA EN SOUTH EL

Athens Services recogerá todos los artículos voluminosos en su día de ser vicio:

•Lunes, 23 de Febrero – Viernes, 27 de Febrero de 2026

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Todos los desechos deben colocarse en montones en la acera antes de las 6:00 a. m. del día de la recolección. OBJETOS

Aparatos de aire

Refrigeradores

Mesas Estufas

Calentadores

NO SE ACEPTARÁN

No se aceptarán desechos peligrosos (cualquier producto etiquetado como tóxico, venenoso, corrosivo, inflamable,

Residentes de South El Monte

Sábado 21 de Febrero de 2026 8:00 am a 12:00 pm 1459 Santa Anita Ave. South El Monte, CA 91733

El abono de Athens es una mezcla de material orgánico que incluye una combinación de desecho verde, desperdicios de madera, y restos de comida.* Nuestro abono esta designado como “OMRI Listed®” lo que significa que es certificado como producto que se puede usar como insumo en agricultura y procesamiento orgánico y autorizada por el Departamento de Alimentos y Agricultura de California.*Puede contener pequeñas partículas de vidrio

CANTIDADES LIMITADAS (LÍMITE DE 30 GALONES DURANTE LA PRIMERA HORA)

NO SE PERMITE CONTENEDORES MÁS GRANDES DE 32 GALONES POR MEDIDAS DE SEGURIDAD Y MANEJO DEL PESO

NO SE PERMITEN BOLSAS DE PLÁSTICO ENTRADA SOLO POR VEHÍCULO (NO ENTRE A PIE)

SE RECOMIENDA USAR GUANTES Y PROTECCIÓN PARA LOS OJOS

RESIDENTS: BEGINNING FEBRUARY 23, 2026

FEE: $50 PER CHILD (SIBLING DISCOUNT AVAILABLE)

NON-RESIDENTS: BEGINNING MARCH 16, 2026

FEE: $100 PER CHILD

Visit https://bit.ly/SemRec or scan the QR Code to register.

Residents: Now Open - February 13, 2026

Fee: $60 (Sibling Discount Available)

Non-Residents: Now Open - February 13, 2026

Fee: $90

Register online at https://bit.ly/SemRec or scan the QR code. Registration space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis

Interested in coaching, you must complete the following: Complete a volunteer application. Pass a background check

BOYS & GIRLS

An instructional program focusing on the fundamental skills Each day is divided into drills and practice with hitting off the tee.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - FEBRUARY 13, 2026.

CLASSES HELD AT MARY VAN DYKE PARK, 1819 CENTRAL AVE.

PARKS & RECREATION DIVISION

The Parks and Recreation Division enriches the quality of lives for our community through the variety of events and programs they provide.

COMMUNITY CENTER

1530 CENTRAL AVE. • (626) 579-2043

MONDAY-FRIDAY • 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

CLOSED ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS

• ADULT SPORTS

• AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

• PARK & FACILITY RENTALS

• SEASONAL DAY CAMPS

• FITNESS CLASSES

• SPECIAL EVENTS

• YOUTH & RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS

*Programs, events, and fees are subject to change.

CONNECT WITH US SEM_PARKSANDREC

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SIGN UP FOR EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

SCAN THE QR CODE TO VISIT OUR NEW PARKS & RECREATION SITE.

D I Y S p r i n g F l o w e r B o x

T u e s d a y 3 / 2 4

5 : 4 5 P M - 6 : 4 5 P M

E a s t e r P a i n t & S i p

T u e s d a y 3 / 3 1

5 : 4 5 P M - 7 : 1 5 P M

a t i o n

V i s i t h t t p s : / / b i t . l y / S e m R e c

o r s c a n t h e Q R c o d e t o r e g i s t e r

R e s i d e n t s : B e g i n n i n g F e b r u a r y 2 n d

N o n - R e s i d e n t s : B e g i n n i n g F e b r u a r y 9 t h

F e e : $ 5 C l a s s M a t e r i a l F e e

SENIOR SERVICES DIVISION

The Senior Services Division provides community based senior programs to enhance the quality of life, independence, and well-being of South El Monte citizens age 55 and older.

SENIOR CENTER

1556 CENTRAL AVE. • (626) 448-0131

MONDAY-FRIDAY • 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. CLOSED ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS

• NUTRITION PROGRAM (AGES 60+)

• TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

• SOCIAL WORKER

• SOCIAL/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

• HEALTH/WELLNESS PROGRAMS

• EXCURSIONS

*Programs and events are subject to change, rescheduling or cancellation without notice.

Must be registered at the Senior Center to participate in any programming and events.

Scan QR Code for Senior Services Webpage.

REGISTRATION DAYS AND HOURS FOR NEW/RENEWAL SENIOR CENTER PARTICIPANTS: MONDAY – FRIDAY

8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

CLUB MEETINGS & CASH BINGO

3L CLUB • FEBRUARY: 3, 5, 17, 19

1:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

CLUB LATINO • FEBRUARY: 10, 12, 24, 26

1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

*Subject to change. Visit the Senior Services webpage for updates.

Está invitado a participar en unos talleres gratuitos, educativos e informativos para aprender sobre la salud mental y el bienestar a cargo del Programa de Promotores de Salud Mental Unidos del Condado de Los Ángeles.