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vol . 5 , no.41 : june 10-16, 2026 : losgatan.com
spookygirl 831 on ‘backrooms’ p6 : police blotter p7 : jeffrey blum p11 : ny times crossword puzzle p13 Jonathan Natividad
COUNCIL OKS $78.8M OPS BUDGET, PULLS $1.3 MILLION FROM RESERVES Town testing out new finance method to avoid serious number-swings Drew Penner, Editor
On June 2, Los Gatos approved a $78.8 million operating budget and a $6.5 million capital improvement program for fiscal 2026-27. That brings the total budget to $85.3 million in expenditures, against $84 million in revenues ($77.6 million for operating and $6.5 million for capital). The Town is pulling $1.3 million from reserves to cover the difference across both budgets, however staff notes Los Gatos still has plenty in the bank. The budget included $3.2 million in operating spending beyond what staff had originally proposed. At the May 19 budget hearing, Council approved $1.5 million for the Vehicle and Equipment Internal Fund, $335,083 boost to facilities projects in the Facilities ISF fund, $134,368 increase in the General Fund for four Parks and Public Works contracts that came in higher than expected and a new “Long-Term Community Benefit” Capital Fund, among other changes. “Los Gatos is in a strong financial position, which I’m very proud of,” said Mayor Rob Moore. “Our residents expect that of our Town government.” The financial plan features a ➝ Budget, 4
STUDENT SPEAKER During her address at the Los Gatos High convocation Friday, Sophia Krish applauded all who supported the seniors on their journey to the academic finish line. For more graduation (and Grad Night) photos: P8-9
LOCAL SHOPS ADAPTTO STAY ALIVE IN LOS GATOS Despite See’s Candies closure, owners display positive outlook Obadiah Casperson, Contributor
There is no single formula for how local companies can succeed amidst economic uncertainty, but many Los Gatos business owners point to a common theme that keeps their doors open: the niche, whether of business format, or product category.
Online shopping continues to reshape consumer habits as Americans compare prices digitally and order merchandise without leaving the house. And so, California retail businesses are facing some of the highest operating costs in the US without any statewide commercial rent control. Though Los Gatos sits as an affluent pinnacle of Silicon Valley, business owners are not immune to the malaise that can cause the economic pres-
sures of a dwindling downtown. While some storefronts struggle to survive rising rents and shifting market conditions, others have worked around these obstacles by pushing unique products and promoting made-to-order services. “It’s just a really tough time to be in business,” said Mary Guercio, owner of Out of the Envelope embroidery shop. “It really is.” ➝ Businesses, 12
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