[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6265040,"mediaKeyId","3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83","parentId",3095397,"title","Selma council holds FY25-26 budget workshop; staff to return with detailed revenue, staffing and capital options","audioSeconds",8769,"startMs",731000,"endMs",9500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83&start=731&end=9500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83/thumbnail_731000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265040/Selma-City/Fresno-County/California/Selma-council-holds-FY25-26-budget-workshop-staff-to-return-with-detailed-revenue-staffing-and-capital-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265040-87c3c87de5bbe1b621bdef7e0361df72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181077&Signature=aM~6ytmmj9aqKxuF5lqzO4GQrGuG0PRBu9lx09sxmFh7zWpJmA~Q3jg8lFpblQlTGgWJB5XT7UIPfdi7b2puZhgPGxCMxS9~6ycjeCILltBKOA791B5Nmq~ETOEJQgL77ox1eFUf5aoOGf37cQzz77prCrfmjOCorhQn0PK0WNf-nmpssoDxpRmZtO5YM36iEIaaT2-lPSbkpYKGevIUm0v48lcHlTGe2LmCJJ1sysjZLqeVMiPdaXO70RSm0iZnxpJeHE99ujlBaEs2vy4SMeaDHby0EjAG2ECsayeKtQf1PDYNOOkAH-RE~NDAd~irDWxR3x~-Gq-CwaWpIvlE0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Selma CA","date","2025-04-23T16:08:57.423Z","article","The Selma City Council held a fiscal year 2025–26 budget workshop April 22 to review preliminary numbers and department requests; staff and department heads summarized priorities and council directed staff to return with more detailed revenue, staffing and capital alternatives.

Finance Director Maggie Moreno presented high-level figures and said the city’s preliminary general-fund expenditures rose from last year’s $21.2 million to a preliminary $21.9 million, and that the city’s estimated fund balance as of March 31 was about $12.9 million, including the council-approved reserve policy. \"We are transferring and transitioning to a new accounting software called Tyler ERP,\" Moreno said, adding staff would provide better-formatted reports before budget adoption.

Council members repeatedly requested more detailed financial statements and audited numbers before adopting a draft budget. Several council members said they had asked for more current financial statements and for the 2023–24 audited financial statements; staff confirmed the auditor is scheduled to present the 2023–24 audited financial statements at the May 6 council meeting.

Department heads outlined major requests: Administrative Services seeks two human-resources positions (risk/benefits and front-desk support); the police department requested Measure S funding for LPRs and replacements (see separate article) plus taser and vehicle purchases; community services sought program and facility support for recreation and senior services; and public works requested equipment such as a crack-sealing machine to preserve pavement. \"We're working on those reports,\" the finance director said of council requests for department-level financials.

Animal services and public comment drew significant attention. Council members and residents expressed concerns about service levels, vacancies and dropped calls; the police chief said the city currently has three animal-care technician vacancies and noted regional intake challenges because Fresno County agencies are reducing transfers. \"Fresno Humane, they're not accepting dogs anymore,\" the chief said, describing a pattern of animals being dropped at jurisdictional limits that increases local shelter workload. Council asked staff to revisit staffing allocations and to consider interagency solutions and ordinance options addressing animal dumping.

Fire Department priorities included a request to replace a 2006 engine (estimated at about $1.2 million today) and to begin planning for a new fire station campus and an EMS facility. Fire Chief Luke Webster told council construction lead times are long and recommended ordering apparatus early; \"The $1,200,000 mark, shockingly enough, is what a fire engine costs in today's market,\" Webster said, and advised council on financing options including prepayment (which yields savings), paying on delivery, or a lease-purchase arrangement.

Ambulance operations are funded through an enterprise ambulance fund. The fire chief described plans to maintain three 24/7 ambulances and add a fourth on 12-hour shifts when sustainable; he also proposed lease-purchase financing for cardiac monitors to replace aging units. Chief Webster and EMS staff said ambulance-billing revenue (including state programs) has increased in recent years and that new ambulances and monitors are part of a multi-year fleet strategy.

Council asked for a clear, department-by-department breakdown of proposed hires, salary impacts and the fiscal effect of last year’s pay adjustments. Mayor Robertson and council members asked staff to provide an organization chart, the '24–'25 audited numbers, and a draft budget with line-item detail at a future special meeting after council returns from the ICSC conference. Staff recommended postponing adoption and returning with a more detailed draft for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Selma Special City Council Meeting/ Budget Workshop 04/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Selma City Council reviewed preliminary FY25-26 budget numbers and department requests at an April 22 workshop and directed staff to return with detailed revenue and staffing analyses before finalizing the draft budget.","taxTitle","Selma City, Fresno County, California","taxId",71639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265045,"Selma police present Flock Safety license-plate-reader option; proposes Measure S spending for equipment",2387,1770000,4157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83&start=1770&end=4157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83/thumbnail_1770000.jpg","/articles/6265045/Selma-City/Fresno-County/California/Selma-police-present-Flock-Safety-license-plate-reader-option-proposes-Measure-S-spending-for-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265045-989b3b6f1f759f65b56be3638c918a34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181077&Signature=DOONE5bFGOL6~XNJokddQKxzK5NK7~ZnUf6zsrCQJEOBrlv5TH1KQo0zr8sSJ3koElXZfDFXeJJgWTZc4kQTR7FCRsHVx1HkBq9KSnW~fpjRDeikIFDcYYevIiEpL6YnJkex~8HevLA67Qm98M3tY40l16mb~QLwg3to6zxdRu84Qj4UsI0gJxXKcGkRZz~hsIKILi6fbiOQw1Kw652FyPRKrVuhsP433RHoEt99be4mM3WN-nS7WwyMrdMZ0oZTe6wCUigQN7F9ZC77xNWDdWa~J2ZWRPgvhJrgjJu-sYyqQ~c3dunck6bWiduvqNUai4~eOliNYkNM5aqAp2loIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Selma Police Department and Flock Safety presented license-plate readers and related equipment to the Selma City Council on April 22 and asked the council to consider using Measure S funds for an initial deployment and related purchases.

Caroline Frere, territory sales manager for Flock Safety, told the council the company’s mission is \"to eliminate crime,\" and described Flock’s solar-powered, LTE license-plate readers and real-time alerting system. \"We share the same mission as the cities we partner with really to make communities safer,\" Frere said. She described the product suite, privacy controls and a free transparency portal the vendor offers for public-facing information.

Police Chief Alcarez outlined equipment requests the department identified for Measure S funding: a multi-site LPR deployment, replacement tasers amortized over five years and additional patrol vehicles. The chief said current tasers are beyond their service life and are being repaired with refurbished parts from the manufacturer, and he proposed a five-year lease-purchase for replacement units. He also described a vehicle acquisition approach that would seek local dealers consistent with prior council direction about local preference. \"Our current taser equipment is at 10 years plus. It's beyond its industrial life expectancy,\" the chief told council members.

Flock staff described pricing during the public presentation: Flock quoted $3,000 per camera per year for a two-lane LPR and $5,000 per camera per year for a three-lane model; one-time installation costs vary from about $150 (using existing poles) to $1,900 for advanced installs on Caltrans infrastructure. The vendor cited case studies from nearby cities reporting reductions in stolen vehicles and faster suspect identification.

The presentation prompted council questions about likely camera locations, a recommended initial deployment size (Chief Alcarez said the department recommended roughly 20 cameras to start) and the technology’s compatibility with existing patrol hardware. Chief Alcarez said the department has upgraded mobile data terminals and anticipates officers accessing LPR alerts in-vehicle or through dispatch. \"If we get a hundred cameras, that'd be great. But the reality is, fiscal constraints are what they are. We were recommending 20 to start with, to get a good base,\" he said.

Public commenters asked about privacy, range and contract termination terms; Flock said cameras capture the rear of vehicles only, do not perform facial recognition and that agencies control data sharing. The council did not take action on the presentation; staff said the item was informational and would return with details and a proposed contract later if the council wishes to proceed.

The police department also described related Measure S requests for taser replacements (estimated at roughly $36,000 over five years, as part of a lease-purchase) and a possible vehicle lease program. Council members emphasized local-vendor preference in procurement and asked staff to return with site recommendations, contract terms and a proposed funding plan.","Police and vendor Flock Safety presented license-plate reader (LPR) cameras to the Selma City Council as a crime-fighting tool and asked Council to consider Measure S funds for LPRs, new tasers and patrol vehicles. The vendor stressed privacy safeguards and shared case studies; the presentation was informational and no vote was taken.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265050,"Selma City Council approves release of funds for Legacy Youth Center improvements",139,573000,712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83&start=573&end=712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095397-9acfabcf404c868bfd5336be3ca3cf83/thumbnail_573000.jpg","/articles/6265050/Selma-City/Fresno-County/California/Selma-City-Council-approves-release-of-funds-for-Legacy-Youth-Center-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265050-2232e4f3fca219eed83ff21e53fc9cf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181077&Signature=Jg0~yzr4QMHc3VZpsE-HrdAPDsMtORt4id~BicT-OU9pMQItNqbmsRVP2mB1wWx2DsEiKd8sGxOc0seg8j7gNG7EIfOTx~6fwAkYYg~S-B1cdB8RRXmO9FiEraDHVcudCfCI6uXvj0Ak-cNErXhhBe~B-IVl7SMq6Qs1B1q9tBU9Yd5NlJOym4dk8Aidp63xJ-mn7n0~NsG5jFS-Hone2M3buKC2Oo9-5iFYubJPvGl8U2qZ4Y9vhca3~MlsveNJf2yt5OHRLQRVo7~Atxyw3rLblrnJ4P-d2EDz13KDlcEgIp9uY3BpRJny2Xomyrv-6JlK7Gp4xo3cRLM2~SDd0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Selma City Council voted unanimously April 22 to release authorized funding for improvements at the Legacy Youth Center after city staff reported the organization had completed most of the work described in its approved plan.

Staff told the council the Legacy Youth Center had finished about \"85% of the improvements shown in the plan\" and recommended releasing funds while staff worked with the nonprofit to complete the remaining items. The staff presentation listed unfinished items such as stenciled no-parking markings and saw-cut work in the parking lot. \"Staff believes that the Legacy Youth Center has completed about 85% of the improvements shown in the plan and would be comfortable releasing funds while we work with them to complete the rest of the red line plan,\" Finance Director Maggie Moreno said during the meeting.

Council members asked whether the precise payment amount was available; staff said the original record predates some current personnel and the exact figure was still being located. \"We'd have to find the exact number. It predates, I think, some of staff being here, so we're trying to track down that exact number,\" the finance director said. Council discussion moved to a motion to release the funds; city clerks recorded a roll-call vote of yes from Council member Avalos, Council member Oseguera, Council member Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and Mayor Robertson.

The council did not specify the final dollar amount at the meeting. Staff earlier referenced \"$42,000 and change\" when summarizing the request but said they would confirm and report the precise figure. The council approved the release of funds \"forthwith\" and directed staff to continue coordinating with the Legacy Youth Center to complete the remaining items and provide the confirmed payment amount in follow-up materials.

Council members and staff treated the item as a routine disbursement tied to previously authorized funding for the nonprofit's facility improvements; there was no further public comment and no amendments to the action.

The council convened later for a budget workshop that covered many other city priorities and projects.","The Selma City Council voted unanimously April 22 to release authorized funding for improvements at the Legacy Youth Center after staff reported the nonprofit had completed most of the work. The council approved the payment while staff will confirm the final dollar amount.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Selma council holds FY25-26 budget workshop; staff to return with detailed revenue, staffing and capital options

Selma police present Flock Safety license-plate-reader option; proposes Measure S spending for equipment

Selma City Council approves release of funds for Legacy Youth Center improvements