Selma City Council adopts 2025–26 budget with $44,000 surplus; freezes, reshuffles staff positions

The Selma City Council on June 24 adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved the city’s annual appropriations limit, voting to add two closed‑session litigation items before recessing into closed session.

Director Moreno presented a revised budget continued from the council’s June 17 meeting and told the council the document “froze the economic development position, … removed the animal director, and also added the PIO position,” changes that “did bring us into a surplus of $44,000.” The council approved Resolution 2025‑45R (fiscal year 2025–26 budget) and Resolution 2025‑46R (annual appropriations limit) by roll call; Councilmember Trujillo was absent for the vote.

Why it matters: the budget determines staffing and spending priorities for city services, including public safety, animal services, parks and recreation, and administration. Several council members and staff used the public hearing to press for clarity about how the personnel and capital adjustments would affect service delivery.

Most important facts and council discussion

- Personnel and staffing: Director Moreno confirmed the budget includes a freeze on the economic development director position, removal of the animal services director position, and the addition of a public information officer position. The changes were presented as the primary drivers of the reported $44,000 surplus.

- Animal services: Police Chief Alcarez said the department is not currently recruiting for an animal services director and that staff are considering reorganizing duties. “Currently, we’re not recruiting … We really truly need an office manager, like, for data entry, things of that nature, to coordinate outreach, coordinate adoptions,” Chief Alcarez said, and he described continuing discussions with human resources about how to align duties.

- Administrative staffing: Council members asked whether administrative services positions (human resources, information technology, payroll, risk management) are filled. Moreno said three of those positions are filled, one is vacant (an office assistant who resigned), and two additional positions are requested in the new fiscal year.

- Code enforcement: Council asked about code enforcement staffing; Moreno confirmed the city has two code enforcement officers.

- Arts and TOT allocations: A council member raised the condition of the city’s art center and asked whether the transient occupancy tax (TOT)/Measure K allocations (noted in the budget document as roughly 50% parks, 30% recreation, 20% arts) could be adjusted to increase art‑center funding and marketing. City Attorney (counsel) advised that the Measure K apportionments were adopted by voters and cannot be changed without placing a resolution on the ballot and securing voter approval.

Formal actions and votes

- Addition of closed session items: The council voted to add two potential litigation items pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (two cases) to the closed session agenda. Roll call on that procedural addition: Councilmember Avalos — yes; Councilmember Oseguera — yes; Councilmember Trujillo — absent; Mayor Pro Tem Guerra — yes; Mayor Robertson — yes. The council’s counsel noted adding the items required a four‑fifths vote.

- Adoption of budget and appropriations limit: The council approved the FY 2025–26 budget (Resolution 2025‑45R) and adopted the annual appropriations limit (Resolution 2025‑46R) by roll call with the same attendance (Trujillo absent).

Discussion versus direction

- Discussion: Councilmembers questioned staffing fill rates, animal services capacity, and capital spending priorities (including the art center). Several speakers described operational gaps (vacant office assistant, need for an office manager for animal services) and the physical condition of the art center.

- Direction/next steps: Chief Alcarez said he would meet with council members and human resources to develop options for reorganizing animal services and related administrative support. A council member said they would bring photos and a proposal for art‑center improvements at the next meeting.

Public comment

No members of the public were recorded as speaking during the public hearing portion of this session.

Closing

After the votes the council recessed the special meeting public hearing and moved into the added closed session items. The council scheduled follow‑up discussions on animal services reorganization and a future agenda item if members wish to pursue changing voter‑approved Measure K allocations.