diff --git a/backend/civic_intelligence.py b/backend/civic_intelligence.py
index 4a90640f..c070491c 100644
--- a/backend/civic_intelligence.py
+++ b/backend/civic_intelligence.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import logging
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from typing import List, Dict, Any
-from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, load_only
 from sqlalchemy import func
 
 from backend.models import Issue, EscalationAudit, EscalationReason, Grievance
@@ -88,7 +88,8 @@ def run_daily_cycle(self):
             # Optimization: Fetch all related grievances in one query to avoid N+1
             grievance_ids = [audit.grievance_id for audit in upgrades]
             if grievance_ids:
-                grievances = db.query(Grievance).filter(Grievance.id.in_(grievance_ids)).all()
+                # Optimized: Use load_only to avoid fetching unnecessary columns while preserving ORM objects
+                grievances = db.query(Grievance).options(load_only(Grievance.id, Grievance.category)).filter(Grievance.id.in_(grievance_ids)).all()
                 grievance_map = {g.id: g for g in grievances}
             else:
                 grievance_map = {}
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_civic_intelligence.py b/backend/tests/test_civic_intelligence.py
index dec96015..f79a37f3 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_civic_intelligence.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_civic_intelligence.py
@@ -190,6 +190,7 @@ def query_side_effect(*args):
     g1 = Grievance(id=1, category="Fire")
     g2 = Grievance(id=2, category="Fire")
     g3 = Grievance(id=3, category="Fire")
+    mock_query_grievance.options.return_value.filter.return_value.all.return_value = [g1, g2, g3]
     mock_query_grievance.filter.return_value.all.return_value = [g1, g2, g3]
 
     # Setup Trend Analyzer