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Huntington Beach officials outline FY 2025–26 budget with $8.8 million gap; propose reserve transfers and cuts
Summary
City staff presented a $554.9 million citywide budget and a $298.9 million general fund plan that projects an $8.8 million shortfall next year. Officials proposed temporary use of reserves and spending reductions to balance the budget and scheduled adoption for June.
City finance staff presented a proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget at the Huntington Beach City Council study session Tuesday, projecting a citywide budget of about $554.9 million and a general fund of roughly $298.9 million and forecasting an $8.8 million deficit for the coming year.
The study session featured presentations from Interim Chief Financial Officer Robert Torres, pension adviser Steve Montano of Baker Tilly and Chief Information Officer John Danka. The council discussed a package of balancing steps that staff recommended, including drawing on a portion of the city’s Section 115 pension trust, transfers from other reserves, operating reductions and continued hiring controls.
Why it matters: the general fund supports basic city services — public safety, parks, libraries and public works — and shortfalls can trigger program cuts, fee increases or use of one‑time reserves. Council members pressed staff on revenue assumptions, reserve levels and the long‑term cost of CalPERS pension liabilities.
City staff laid out the principal figures and tools they will use to close the gap. The proposed…
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