Plus, this year’s National Night Out and Sister City activities; but no mention of Holiday Delites Celebration
By Allen D. Payton
During their special meeting budget workshop on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Antioch City Council directed staff to keep funding for four community events and activities. They include this year’s Juneteenth celebration, the July 4th celebration on the nation’s 250th Independence Day and the National Night Out event. Also, the council protected funding for this year’s Sister City activities with Chichibu, Japan.
While reviewing a list of Deficit Reduction Proposals from city staff, Council postponed decisions for several of the items asking for more information from staff, first. Those are expected at a Budget Session before next Tuesday’s regular Council meeting.
“Since we’re hosting, this year, I’ll say ‘no’,” Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said to the recommendation to “Pause Sister City Activities.” The other three council members and Mayor Ron Bernal agreed.
Following are the costs to the City’s General Fund budget for the four items:
- Juneteenth – $54,606, which includes vendors, supplies and police staffing;
- July 4th – $157,586, which includes fireworks, vendors, supplies and police staffing;
- National Night Out – $3,842 for police overtime; and
- Sister City activities – $15,000
City Finance Director Dawn Merchant asked the council members to confirm they were agreeing to only fund the three events, plus, Sister City activities, they each responded, “Yes.”
However, none of the council members or staff mentioned the annual Holiday Delites Celebration in December which wasn’t on the list for cutting. A question asking about funding for that event was sent to council members and staff. Please check back later for their responses and any other updates to this report.
the attachments to this post:
Deficit Reduction Proposals FY 26-27 4-21-26
Uncle Sam thumbs up City America 250
