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Malibu adopts FY 2025–26 budget; council also approves assessment district, wastewater fees and CDBG allocation
Summary
Council adopted an $81.8 million revenue / $110 million expenditure budget for FY 2025–26, approved Assessment District 98‑2 Calle Del Largo assessments, wastewater service fees for the Civic Center treatment facility and use of CDBG funds for the Malibu Community Labor Exchange project.
The Malibu City Council on June 23 adopted the fiscal 2025–26 operating budget and several finance items, after public comment and detailed staff presentations. The adopted budget lists $81.8 million in total revenue and about $110 million in planned expenditures across all funds, with general fund revenues of roughly $60 million and general fund expenditures north of $72 million.
Staff briefed the council on revenue drivers and the city’s reserve position, noting the city’s property‑tax base has trended upward over the last decade. The city manager and finance staff described how emergency response and recovery costs associated with recent fires reduced reserves since the Woolsey, Franklin and Palisades fires. Staff also summarized a forecast that relies in part on a state backfill that preserves a portion of property tax revenue across the next two fiscal years while rebuilding activity stabilizes.
After staff presentation and public comment, council members voted to adopt the budget, appropriations limit and authorized position list including modest personnel additions and a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff. The package also reflected a requested temporary accounting assistant to help track disaster reimbursement claims.
Votes at a glance (actions taken during the same meeting): - Assessment District 98‑2 (Calle Del Largo): Council conducted a public hearing and approved the engineer’s report and levy of assessments for FY 2025–26. The staff report described assessment amounts by zone; the hearing closed with no public opposition and council approved the item unanimously. - Wastewater service charges for Civic Center treatment facility: Staff reported the proposed service charge is $526.57 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU), a $10 increase. Council opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers and unanimously adopted the engineer’s report and fee schedule. - Use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds: Council held a public hearing and approved using application year CDBG funds (projected allocation $53,000) toward the Malibu Community Labor Exchange office project; staff said the labor exchange construction is on track for completion by the end of calendar year 2025 and the CDBG allocation will help close the remaining funding gap. - FY 2025–26 budget adoption and related resolutions: Council adopted the main budget resolution, established the appropriations limit and approved the authorized positions and salary ranges. Public comment emphasized concerns over rebuild costs and requests for additional state or federal advocacy; councilors and staff pledged to pursue reimbursement and advocacy and to continue monitoring revenues and reserves.
Ending: The council asked staff to return with mid‑year updates and to prioritize securing disaster reimbursement (FEMA/SBA) and pursuing funding/advocacy to accelerate rebuilding and business recovery.
