Sustainability Scorecards

How is Cerritos doing on key sustainability programs? Check the data.

Recycled Water & Conservation

Water

Cerritos saves 722 million gallons of drinking water every year by using recycled water to irrigate parks and public spaces.

722million gal

Potable water saved annually

25miles

Recycled water distribution lines

200acres

Acres irrigated with recycled water

1988year

Program operating since

Highlights

✓722 million gallons of potable water conserved every year
✓25 miles of recycled water distribution lines serve 200+ acres
✓Parks, medians, school grounds, and golf courses all use recycled water
✓Program has operated continuously since 1988 — nearly 4 decades

Challenges

!Expanding recycled water to additional commercial and residential uses
!Aging infrastructure requires ongoing maintenance investment
!Climate change increasing demand for drought-resistant irrigation

Urban Forestry & Tree City USA

Parks

With 28,000+ trees and 25+ years as Tree City USA, Cerritos is serious about its urban canopy for cleaner air and cooler streets.

28000trees

Public trees maintained

+250%

250trees/yr

New trees planted annually

25years

Tree City USA consecutive years

+1%

4.5$M

Parks & Trees Management budget

+3.4%

Highlights

✓28,000+ public trees — one of the greenest cities in the LA metro
✓Tree City USA for 25+ consecutive years from the Arbor Day Foundation
✓~250 new trees planted each year to replace damaged or aging trees
✓$4.5M invested in parks and trees management (FY 2025-26)

Challenges

!Drought stress and climate impacts increasing tree mortality rates
!Need more drought-tolerant species in future plantings
!Balancing tree canopy growth with urban development pressures

Solar Energy & Clean Power

Energy

From the nation's first solar City Hall in 1978 to today's 350,000 kWh solar farm, Cerritos has been a clean energy leader for decades.

350000kWh/yr

Solar generation (Corporate Yard)

1408sq ft

City Hall solar panels

60%

LED signal energy savings

1978year

Solar pioneer since

Highlights

✓City Hall solar heating system installed 1978 — one of the nation's first
✓Corporate Yard solar array generates 350,000 kWh per year
✓LED traffic signals across the city save 60% energy vs. incandescent
✓Magnolia Power Plant partnership provides clean energy for city facilities

Challenges

!Expanding solar to additional city facilities and parking structures
!Battery storage needed to maximize solar generation value
!Aging City Hall system needs modernization for current technology

Clean Vehicle Fleet & CNG

Energy

Every trash truck and city bus in Cerritos runs on cleaner fuel — CNG for waste vehicles and propane for transit buses.

100%

Waste vehicles on CNG

2007year

CNG station operating since

100%

Transit buses on propane

3$M

Vehicle maintenance budget

Highlights

✓100% of Athens Services waste hauling vehicles are CNG-operated
✓City-owned CNG fueling station operational since 2007
✓Cerritos on Wheels (COW) transit fleet runs on propane
✓Reducing diesel emissions across all city fleet operations

Challenges

!Transitioning to electric vehicles as EV technology matures
!CNG infrastructure maintenance and upgrade costs
!Evaluating electric bus options for the COW transit service

Fiscal Health & Transparency

General

Cerritos is financially healthy with award-winning budget transparency and smart moves to pay down pension debt early.

101.5$M

General Fund revenue

+2.1%

131.4$M

All-Funds operating expenses

+1.8%

23$M

Capital improvements (CIP)

2$M

CalPERS early paydown

Highlights

✓GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award recipient
✓$101.5M General Fund revenue with diversified income sources
✓$2M CalPERS ADP payment to reduce long-term pension liability
✓OpenGov transparency portal provides public access to 10 years of data

Challenges

!Sales tax headwinds from auto sales slowdown ($46M forecast adjusted to $42.8M)
!Rising public safety contract costs (Sheriff + Fire)
!CalPERS unfunded liability remains a statewide challenge