The Stanton City Council received a full presentation of the draft fiscal year 2025-26 operating and capital budgets on May 27 and took a series of votes on decision packages and personnel items after staff presentations and council discussion.

Finance Director Michelle Banigan told the council the city's total budget (all funds) is estimated at $47.5 million in revenues and $49.2 million in expenditures; the proposed general fund revenues total $35.4 million with proposed general fund expenditures around $35.6 million. "Total general fund revenue estimates are $35,400,000 next year," Banigan said during the workshop overview. City Manager Hannah summarized the process and noted staff will return a final budget for adoption at the June 10 meeting.

A principal driver of the proposed operating deficit is a planned augmentation to the Orange County Sheriff's Department contract that would add five additional deputies plus one motor deputy. Staff said that augmentation would increase contract costs by roughly $1.26 million and move the proposed general fund budget into a $400,000 shortfall; staff recommended using two years of accumulated cannabis community benefit fees as a one-time bridge and stressed that those funds are not recurring.

After public comment and extended council discussion, the council took votes on more than a dozen decision-package requests presented by staff. Key actions taken during the workshop include:

- One-time performance merit pay for FY 2024-25: council approved a one-time performance bonus funded from the current fiscal year surplus (motion passed by consensus earlier in the workshop).

- Cost-of-living adjustment for staff: after discussion the council approved a 3.5% COLA for full-time employees (motion passed on roll call: Warren Aye; Barrios Aye; Taylor Yes; Torres Yes; Mayor Schauffer Yes). The council removed the previously proposed one-time merit payout from that motion by amendment and later confirmed the one-time merit as a separate onetime action earlier in the workshop.

- Decision-package approvals and priorities: the council approved or gave direction on a set of specific decision packages during the workshop (summarized "Votes at a glance" below). Among the items approved were: continuation of contracted overnight parking enforcement (cost-neutral), a contract for economic development attraction services (one-year trial, staff estimated $40,0005,000 plus $10,000 for short business videos), a $100,000 low-income home repair grant program to be funded from CDBG funds, renewal of select community events (volunteer appreciation picnic, Paint the Town and State of the City) with sponsorships sought, a $5,000 trial membership in the North Orange County Chamber of Commerce and the purchase (rather than continued rental) of two solar trailer cameras using the Safe Streets Together funds (staff instructed to add insurance/maintenance coverage). The council also directed staff to postpone or "kick down the line" several items such as the general plan update.

- Parks and capital projects: the council directed staff to hold proposed park resurfacing funds for Dodson Park and investigate whether Southern California Edison easements or other constraints favor using those park-in-lieu funds for a larger, all-abilities playground at a later date; staff will return with findings.

- Systems and asset investments: the council approved purchase of an asset-management software system funded across public-works, fleet and sewer funds and approved continuing selected CIP projects and grant-funded items already underway.

Public safety and homeless response featured prominently in discussion. Orange County sheriff representatives attended the workshop and answered questions about the contract and enforcement strategy. Assistant Sheriff Jeff Puckett described the sheriff's approach as "outreach and enforcement," and said the department is updating local protocols under recent legal changes that city and county leaders are implementing. Council members emphasized the need for faster, visible responses to quality-of-life complaints while staff and the sheriff noted recruitment and training timelines would affect how quickly any augmentation is fully operational.

Staff will incorporate council direction into the draft budget and return the final operating and capital budgets for formal adoption at the council's June 10 meeting. Several items the council approved will require contract awards, scope refinement or further staff reports before funds are expended.