Press Release
Thursday, August 27, 20262026 State of Turlock Address Highlights a Stronger, More Prepared City
Turlock, CA | August 27, 2026 - In the 2026 State of Turlock Address, Mayor Amy Bublak outlined progress in financial management, public safety, road and water infrastructure, economic development, and accessible City services, while reaffirming the City’s commitment to accountable leadership and investment in residents’ priorities.Key Points
• Financial stability: Turlock has balanced every budget since 2020 and increased reserves from $9.8 million to $35 million, strengthening its ability to fund essential services.
• Public safety: Violent crime declined 12.5 percent in the most recent reporting period, and both the Police and Fire departments are fully staffed.
• Emergency readiness: Investments include modernized equipment and facilities, along with Qwake C-Thru helmet technology to help firefighters navigate smoke and find victims.
• Road improvements: The City has completed 24 miles of road work, has 25 more miles underway, and has committed approximately $60 million to safer streets.
• Water management: Regional water investments are improving reliability, while in-house management is expected to save approximately $850,000 annually.
• Economic development: City incentives helped 45 businesses open and create more than 100 permanent full-time jobs; Turlock Marketplace is expected to support approximately 350 jobs.
• Outside investment: Since 2018, Turlock has secured more than $37.4 million for infrastructure, public safety, parks, drainage, and neighborhood stability.
• Resident services: Expanded online tools, cybersecurity, multilingual outreach, and two-way communication are making City services more accessible and responsive.
Accountability: Beginning by year-end 2026, the City will issue quarterly reports on road delivery, emergency readiness, and priority online services.
“The progress we celebrate belongs to all of you—in safer neighborhoods, stronger finances, renewed roads, reliable water, growing businesses, and more responsive City services,” Mayor Amy Bublak said. “We have come far, but our work is not finished.”
Responsible Finances, Public Safety, and Accountable Leadership
Residents reinforced that commitment through Measure A, which—with independent citizen oversight—directs 52 percent to roads and 48 percent to public safety and parks, with every dollar publicly accounted for.
According to the City’s most recent reporting period, violent crime declined 12.5 percent, and the Police Department is fully staffed. The City reports that the added staffing and support are strengthening service to residents.
The Fire Department is fully staffed, and the City has modernized emergency equipment and facilities. The City also reports that Turlock was selected to deploy Qwake C-Thru helmet technology, which is designed to help firefighters navigate smoke and find victims.
The City Council welcomed Dr. John J. Murphy as Turlock’s City Manager. His public-safety leadership and record of supporting first responders will help strengthen emergency readiness, secure needed resources, and continue building a Fire Department residents can rely on.
“At its heart, public safety is a promise: when someone calls for help, Turlock will be ready. With strong leadership, continued investment, and the dedication of our dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, and City employees, we will keep building a safer, better-prepared community,” the address said.
Keeping that promise requires more than equipment and staffing; it requires accountable leadership and disciplined management. During an important leadership transition, Gary Hampton and Human Relations Director Jessie Dhami managed the City Manager and City Attorney recruitments in-house, saving taxpayers $100,000 by avoiding outside search firms.
The City also welcomed Katie O. Lucchesi as City Attorney. Bringing the position back in-house gives the City Council and staff more consistent, accessible legal counsel. Her municipal-law experience spans public governance, land use, contracts, and litigation.
Strong leadership is reflected in the workforce it supports. Employee morale is high: employee pride stands at 4.5 out of 5, teamwork and overall satisfaction at 4.1, and the vacancy rate is just 7 percent. Those numbers tell an encouraging story, but the real story is the dedication City employees bring to serving Turlock every day.
Roads, Water, and Responsive City Services
That same combination of sound management and public accountability is helping the City deliver the basics residents experience every day. Residents gave the City a clear assignment: fix the roads. The City listened.
The City describes the initiative as Turlock’s first comprehensive road program in 35 years.
Twenty-four miles are complete, twenty-five more are underway, and approximately $60 million is committed to safer, more reliable streets.
The Geer Road Rehabilitation Project was approved at nearly $6 million below the estimate, preserving funds for added street improvements. Delivering the basics also means securing the water supply on which every home, farm, and business depends.
The Regional Surface Water Supply Project provides an added source of reliable water, while the City estimates that in-house Stanislaus Regional Water Authority management will save about $850,000 annually.
Turlock’s wastewater system treats water to a high standard and provides it for agricultural use west of the City. The practical regional partnership conserves resources, supports agriculture, and helps every drop continue serving the community.
Just as the City makes every drop count, it is making every interaction with city government count. Residents seeking help should feel respected, heard, and supported. The MyTurlock app, Virtual Turlock, expanded online services, stronger cybersecurity, prompt updates, accessible information, multilingual outreach, and two-way communication are making city government easier to reach, more responsive, and more secure.
Opportunity, Growth, and Quality of Life
When streets, utilities, and City services work reliably, they do more than improve daily life—they create the confidence businesses need to invest and families need to build their futures. The goal is not growth for growth’s sake. It is responsible growth that creates jobs, strengthens neighborhoods, expands opportunity, and preserves the character that makes Turlock home.
Targeted incentives helped 45 businesses open and created more than 100 permanent full-time jobs. A fairer property-tax agreement with the county added about $1 million in annual revenue in its first year.
New businesses are bringing jobs, services, and more choices to Turlock. The 30-acre Turlock Marketplace shopping center is expected to add 14 to 18 tenants and support approximately 350 jobs.
City staff supported the opening of Chick-fil-A in Turlock, illustrating how responsive municipal service can help private investment.
As Turlock welcomes investment, the City is still committed to local businesses and longtime employers that create jobs and preserve the community’s character. The Economic Development Strategic Plan focuses on keeping employers, attracting new industries, strengthening downtown, and connecting responsible growth with needed infrastructure and services.
Opportunity is meaningful only when growth strengthens household stability and improves quality of life across the community. Through the ongoing Mobile Home Rehabilitation Program, the City helps residents improve their homes. The now-concluded First-Time Homebuyer Program helped residents pursue homeownership and build lasting stability.
Since 2018, Turlock has secured more than $37.4 million in outside funding for infrastructure, public safety, parks, drainage, and neighborhood stability. That funding strengthens programs such as mobile-home rehabilitation, improves public spaces, and helps residents experience progress in their daily lives.
Accountability and Next Steps
By year-end 2026, the City will report quarterly on three public commitments: road-program delivery, public-safety and emergency readiness, and expansion of priority online services.
With a solid financial foundation and clear priorities for public safety, infrastructure, service, and opportunity, Turlock is prepared to carry this momentum forward. Mayor Bublak recognized her colleagues on the City Council for their work in delivering for Turlock residents, as City leaders remain committed to listening to the community, reporting results transparently, and building a safer, stronger, and more connected city.
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