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Isla Vista CSD adopts preliminary FY 2025-26 budget, approves 3% staff cost-of-living adjustment
Summary
The board approved a preliminary FY 2025-26 budget that projects a $149,000 deficit and authorized a 3% salary adjustment for staff effective July 1. The board plans a final budget adoption in August after year-end revenues are finalized.
The Isla Vista Community Services District board adopted a preliminary fiscal year 2025-26 budget and approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the districts salary schedule effective July 1.
Finance staff presented a preliminary budget that projects revenues of roughly $1.7 million and total expenditures of about $1.9 million, producing a projected deficit of approximately $149,000. The shortfall is expected to be covered partly from reserves: staff proposed using an undesignated reserve draw and a portion of the strategic reserve for operating needs. The draft budget holds a designated $300,000 balance reserved for future parking capital startup costs.
At the boards finance committee meeting, staff tested a zero-based review of expenses; the committee recommended adoption of the preliminary budget and bringing a final, adjusted budget back at the August 12 meeting after year-end taxes and revenues are finalized. Staff noted that final tax receipts for the fiscal year will not be known until late June and that refinements will be made before the August adoption.
Separately, the board unanimously approved a 3% increase to salary ranges (a COLA) to take effect July 1; the cost to the district is roughly $33,000 for permanent staff. Directors said the increase reflects rising living costs and the districts reliance on a small, professional staff to run community programs. The COLA was adopted by motion and roll-call vote.
The preliminary budget segments spending as follows: operations and administration (including insurance and software), community programs and engagement, public works and sustainability (including composting, beautification crews and move-out operations), housing mediation and a small safety program. Grants and sponsorships are included as aspirational revenue sources but not relied upon in the baseline. Staff will return with a final budget in August and continue to pursue grant opportunities and revenue diversification.
