Gonzales council adopts 2025–26 operating budget, trims council stipends to protect reserves

GONZALES, Calif. — The Gonzales City Council on Monday voted to adopt the city’s operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and the successor‑agency budget, approving a status‑quo spending plan that uses $104,044.40 of a $1,000,000 council reserve to balance the general fund. Councilors also voted to remove council stipends from the adopted budget and instructed staff to return at a later date with options on merit increases.

During a detailed staff presentation, City staff member Carmen and city finance staffer Mike Howard walked the council through the budget’s revenue mix, projected expenses and risks. Howard said the total operating budget presented was approximately $37.0 million, with a general‑fund operating budget presented as about $7.0 million (all figures as presented by staff). The proposed budget was described as “status quo,” balanced in part by a planned use of $104,044.40 from the city’s $1,000,000 council reserve.

Staff told the…