By Amy Whelan, City of Morgan Hill

Celebrating 120 Years

The city is promoting all there is to offer from local organizations and businesses participating in the anniversary campaign. Stay up to date on the 120th anniversary webpage: morganhill. ca. gov / 2653 / Citys-120th-Anniversary.

The campaign started with the Library, Culture and Arts Commission hosting an anniversary logo design contest in late 2025. Congratulations to Evan Kelly! Kelly’ s winning design incorporates all great aspects of the city: El Toro peak, the downtown skyline, the rising sun representing the city’ s growth and evolution, all culminating to showcase Morgan Hill’ s connection between its lively past and bright future!

Kelly has been a Morgan Hill resident for over twelve years and is a graphics design major at Chapman University. In his free time, he enjoys photography and cheering on the 49ers, Sharks, and Warriors. Thank you, Evan Kelly, and good luck to your future, too!

Morgan Hill resident Evan Kelly ' s winning logo design incorporates all great aspects of the city, Morgan Hill’ s connection between its lively past and bright future.

Priorities, Goals and Strategies: Budget Cycle Process The next budget cycle covers two fiscal years, 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. The good news is that Morgan Hill residents pay the

lowest taxes per capita in Santa Clara County per year. The not-so-surprising news is that, just like many households, the city is experiencing higher costs for goods and services that are outpacing the amount of income received from property, sales, hotel taxes, charges for services, and fees, etc.

The city’ s savings – general fund reserves – are projected to steadily decline over the next five years and fall below the city’ s minimum policy reserve goal. Without additional revenue or changes in spending, the city will not have enough reserves to continue providing the level of services our community relies on. The city follows a priority-based budget strategy to ensure that the Council’ s and community’ s priorities are the guiding principles for developing the biennial operating and capital improvement budgets.

Interested in providing input? Attend a city council budget workshop on Wednesday, May 20, 6 p. m., Council Chamber Building, 17555 Peak Ave. Your participation matters! The feedback you share will help inform future fiscal decisions and community priorities.

In the meantime, check out Morgan Hill’ s budget snapshot, a summary that is designed to give residents a clear, easy-toread picture of where the city stands financially: morganhill. ca. gov / 463 / Budget-and-Financials.

We’ re working toward responsible solutions that keep the general fund on stable footing and protect the services Morgan Hill values most.

42 SPRING 2026 Gilroy • Morgan Hill TODAY Magazine: Go. Make history... gmhtoday. com