Last week, on June 26, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano delivered a State of the City address to a packed audience at Milpitas City Hall.
Montano reflected on her connection to Milpitas over the years and spoke of the City’s growth and transformation. She mentioned the City of Milpitas’ recent investment of $3.1 million into upgrading 13 local parks, as well as the nearly $5 million in federal funding that will be put toward safer intersections and school zones. She also spoke of the steps that the City has been taking to ensure its long-term financial health, and how there are currently 2,700 housing units in development across Milpitas.
See below for a full transcript of the speech…
2025 State of the City Address
Delivered by: Mayor Carmen Montano, City of Milpitas
Good evening Milpitas!
It’s a true honor to stand before you—not just as your Mayor, but as someone who has lived the
Milpitas story. I was raised here. I grew up walking these streets, learning in our local schools, and building a life rooted in the same community that I now have the privilege to serve.
In the 1960s, I was a young student at Abel Elementary school —now closed but never forgotten. From Curtner elementary to Russell middle school, and then on to Samuel Ayer HS, I watched our City begin to grow.
From farmland, to Suburban to now a thriving city in Silicon Valley! I’ll also never forget transferring to the brand-new Milpitas High School back in the early 70’s and being one of the very first students to walk through its doors.
Who would’ve thought that a young girl would one Day return to help lead this City into its future?
My journey here wasn’t built on politics—it was built on serving the community. My work has always been grassroots, grounded in Results, and driven by a deep love for this City, because I grew up in this city!
While making decisions on the City Council, we may not always agree on every issue, But we are united in our commitment to serving the best interests of our community.
The results – I’m proud to speak about today – are a direct reflection of that shared dedication. They show that, even through differing perspectives, we are working together to deliver on the City’s established priorities.
That’s why it brings me so much joy to stand here before you today with all of you—our residents, our business owners, community partners, students, seniors, workers, families, and City staff.
YOU are the heartbeat of Milpitas. And together, we are shaping a smarter, greener, safer, and more connected City for everyone.
With the adoption of our Fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, we’ve taken major steps toward long-term financial health—reducing our projected five-year deficit by 43% while continuing to protect core services. The adopted budget is a clear reflection of the City Council’s commitment to listening to our community. It closely aligns with the values and feedback shared by residents in the December 2024 community survey. Whether it’s supporting public safety, expanding affordable housing, improving parks and open spaces, investing in our environment, supporting job growth, or advancing transportation and transit solutions — this budget focuses resources where they’re needed the most.
And just as important as WHERE we’re investing is HOW we’re doing it. We preserved service levels, we made no staffing eliminations, and we laid the groundwork for long-term fiscal health through a disciplined, forward-looking strategy.
Let me be absolutely clear: the reduced deficit we’re reporting is REAL—there are no budget tricks and no kicking the can down the road!
These decisions set us up for future stability—and they’re already making a difference today, showing how Responsible Budgeting delivers the improvements our community wants. I want to thank our new city manager for a job well done with the finance team and all the other departments who helped deliver a balanced budget! Team work!
We’ve invested $3.1 million to upgrade 13 local parks—adding new playgrounds, paths, and restrooms—while improving road safety through key initiatives such as restriping and fixing potholes. Thanks to new federal grants, nearly $5 million is going into safer intersections and school zones. Our neighborhoods are becoming more walkable, livable, and safe.
Milpitas SMART shuttle, our local on demand micro transit program, is approaching its 100 thousandth ride, connecting residents to school, work, shopping, and more, while helping reduce emissions and traffic.
We’re reimagining and working to revitalize our downtown Main street with the Gateway-Main Street Specific Plan and spotlighting local restaurants through our new Downtown Restaurants Program which include: Storefront Improvement Grants and support from the Milpitas Historic Downtown Business Association. We’re moving forward to restoring the heart and soul of our City – old town Main Street.
Over 2,700 housing units are in development—addressing diverse needs and helping families, seniors, and workers live here with policies that promote affordable housing.
Milpitas is driving a bold vision for inclusive, sustainable growth—attracting top-tier businesses, expanding job opportunities, and supporting local entrepreneurs. New businesses like Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Supermicro, and Psi Quantum, along with expanded operations from KLA, Sutter Health, and others, contributing to 48,000 jobs in the City.
And now, we welcome Rivian—an Electric Vehicle Industry leader. Their Last Mile Hub distribution point will bring jobs, sustainability, and national visibility. Alongside our Go Electric Milpitas partnership with Silicon Valley Clean Energy and the Department of Energy—which will provide up to $3 million in additional rebates for home electrification in Milpitas—we’re also leveraging $874,000 in Silicon Valley Clean Energy grant funding. This funding will help electrify our City fleet, add Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure at the Public Works Administration building, and also support broader sustainability efforts in our city.
Even in emergency response, Milpitas is innovating. Our Police Department just created a custom emergency rescue cruiser—fast, smart, and built to save lives. Great ideas come from great minds!
As we look ahead, the outlook is bright. We will continue strengthening our fiscal foundation while advancing several major projects that will benefit every corner of our City.
Key projects are already shaping the future: water line upgrades and road repaving on Dempsey Road; a new playground at Sinnott Park, shaped by community feedback; in the works are citywide street and sidewalk repairs with added bike lanes; a new pathway at Strickroth Park; and a new water well and treatment facility at Delano Manongs Park, followed by a pedestrian bridge and dog park. These efforts reflect our commitment to innovation, connectivity, and a thriving community.
Together, let me repeat that…Together we are not just navigating today’s challenges. We are actively building the future of Milpitas. And I couldn’t be more honored to do that work alongside all of you.
Thank you everyone and let’s keep charging ahead!
“With the adoption of our Fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, … reducing our projected five-year deficit by 43%.” By not filling open staff positions, and moving some one-time money around, the budget is balanced for this year, unbalanced next year, and WAY unbalanced after that. I agree that “the reduced deficit we’re reporting is REAL”. However, without a plan to close the revenue-expenditure gap – and I’ve heard no discussion of any – they actually are “kicking the can down the road!” With the corrupt felon’s vendetta on California, don’t expect help from the feds. We need to be more self-reliant by increasing revenue. Find suggestions at https://meansfordemocracy.org/budget.html
.
BTW, our budget woes are reflected in other government agencies. Many have looming fiscal problems.