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Buellton council approves budget and a package of personnel measures, including $750 monthly housing allowance
Summary
Council adopted the biannual FY25‑26/FY26‑27 budget and approved several personnel measures: employer medical contribution resolution, a $750 monthly housing allowance for regular full‑time employees, and a 10% department‑head salary adjustment; staff and council recorded fiscal impacts and a recusal on one item.
The Buellton City Council approved a package of budget and personnel actions on June 12, adopting the biannual FY25‑26 and FY26‑27 budget and approving separate resolutions addressing health benefits, a housing allowance, and department head salary adjustments.
Resolution 25-20: Budget adoption The council adopted the biannual budget for fiscal years 2025‑26 and 2026‑27, which incorporates council direction from the May 22 budget study session. Staff said the final published budget will include a users’ guide, department goals and a five‑year general fund forecast. The proposed general fund showed an operating surplus of $66,038 for FY25‑26 after the changes discussed at the meeting. The capital improvement program as presented includes a proposed acquisition of a recreation bus; staff said the council will receive a future contract item should the purchase proceed.
Resolution 25-17: Employer contribution (PEMHCA) Council approved Resolution 25-17 fixing the city’s employer contribution under the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act for employees and annuitants, including two technical corrections to the recitals (numerical amounts in the written text). The council recorded a unanimous vote; staff noted Council Member Sanchez had recused from item 10 because he is an annuitant for a relevant program.
Resolution 25-18: Housing allowance Council adopted Resolution 25-18 establishing a monthly housing allowance of $750 for all regular full‑time employees (excluding the city manager, who is on a separate contract). Finance staff estimated the annual fiscal impact at approximately $171,000 (all funds combined) and said the cost is included in the proposed biannual budget.
Resolution 25-19: Department head salary adjustments The council approved a 10% salary adjustment for department heads as an interim step ahead of the final compensation study release. Finance staff said preliminary benchmarking showed department head pay was more than 20% below comparable agencies and that the proposed 10% increase carries an estimated fiscal impact (salary plus benefits) of about $81,260, to be funded from general, wastewater and water funds in proportion to staff allocations.
All items passed on unanimous voice votes or recorded aye votes. The record notes that Council Member Sanchez recused from item 9 (arts grant) and item 10 (the medical contribution resolution) to avoid any appearance of conflict; staff clarified the basis of the recusal on the record.
