From the Mayor's Desk: December 19, 2025

On behalf of our City of Cerritos employees and my City Council colleagues, I'd like to wish you a happy holiday season.

2025 has been a very busy year for Cerritos, filled with exciting events and rewarding initiatives. You've also joined us in celebrating the spirit of the holidays, including at our annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and inaugural Santa's Sleigh Day at the CCPA. We also want to thank those who took the time to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree programs. Your collective contributions are reflective of our highly engaged and compassionate community. City of Cerritos employees and the City Council are proud to serve you.

This month also marks one year since the City formally adopted its Strategic Plan, which guides the long-term vision of Cerritos. I’m pleased to see the plan’s eight goals driving the daily work of our employees, which support our theme of Cerritos in Progress.

At our December 11 City Council meeting, we received an update on these goals as part of our first budget study session for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year. Notable in this report is Strategic Plan Goal 6: Focus on Fiscal Transparency and Sustainability. As we prepare a budget that meets the current and anticipated needs of our community, we look forward to collaborative opportunities that will help to strengthen our fiscal position. Strategic Plan Goal 4: Strengthen Economic Development is a key driver in this work, with sales tax revenue making up nearly half of the City’s General Fund.

Each of our Strategic Plan goals contributes to the overall vitality of Cerritos. When we Enhance Public Safety (Goal 1), we ensure our residents are protected and we are responsive to safety concerns. When we Assess and Maintain Infrastructure (Goal 3), we provide reliable and safe operations for crucial services. When we Ensure Continued Excellence in Community Recreation and Community Programming (Goal 8), we connect our residents and visitors with experiences that improve their physical and mental well-being. As we move into 2026, we’ll continue to lean into our Strategic Plan for guidance on how to provide essential City services.

If you're welcoming out-of-town guests this holiday season, the City is pleased to relax its overnight parking enforcement now through January 5. Additionally, you're encouraged to take advantage of our Christmas Tree recycling service as part of your regular trash collection days between December 26 and January 16.

Whether you're staying local or traveling this time of year, we wish you a safe and pleasant holiday season surrounded by friends and family, and filled with memorable experiences.