Three councilmembers are raising concerns as to why the city of Santa Ana may be withholding records tied to its decision to quit a nearly $7 million state contract that would have provided free or low-cost childcare to hundreds of the city’s most vulnerable youth.

Santa Ana was awarded the first state contract in 2024 with approval from the City Council, only to return the money six months later without informing elected officials.

As LAist first reported in September, the decision has led councilmembers to question why the city gave up on the much-needed funding and why the decision was made behind closed doors.

Now, city officials have new questions concerning the city’s response to LAist’s records requests about the grant after Councilmember Jessie Lopez discovered hundred

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