The Waterford City Council approved a slate of routine but consequential items by unanimous vote, covering assessment levies, the city operating budget for fiscal 2025–26, a donations policy for community groups, a regional solid-waste memorandum of understanding, and a property purchase for water infrastructure.

Highlights: staff presented the final steps to place assessment levies on the county tax roll: Resolution 2025-31 confirms the Waterford Lighting Assessment District levy at $11.24 per parcel and Resolution 2025-32 confirms the Waterford Landscape and Lighting Assessment District levies at $52 per parcel for Zone A and $28.52 per parcel for Zone B. Both resolutions were approved, and staff will forward them to the county tax administrator for placement on the roll.

Budget adoption: the council adopted Resolution 2025-33, setting spending authority for fiscal year 2025–26. Staff noted two changes since the prior presentation: a council request to add $5,000 for youth sports and a $107,000 increase in the sheriff’s contract budget that created a corresponding $107,000 deficit in the spending plan. The adopted budget retains a general fund ending balance of $3,411,576, which staff said equals a 62% reserve—above the city’s 50% policy minimum.

Donations policy: the council adopted Resolution 2025-35 to amend the city’s expenditures and donations policy to permit reimbursements to Love Waterford and Waterford youth sports leagues on a case-by-case basis, subject to an annual request process and an annual cap specified by council.

Solid-waste MOU: council approved a regional solid waste disposal memorandum of understanding with Stanislaus County for use of the Fink Road Landfill. Presenting staff summarized key terms: a 10-year MOU that requires 90% of the city’s solid waste be delivered to Fink Road, a baseline tipping fee of $39.14 per ton, an additional $2.45 per ton to fund a county household hazardous waste program, and a $1.79 per ton charge for county administrative reporting (AB 939) responsibilities. Staff said the per-ton cost to the city will rise from the current $37.68 to $43.38.

Land purchase for water infrastructure: council approved the purchase of 2.12 acres at the northeast corner of Timbale and Vineyard for $412,000 plus half of the closing costs. Staff said the parcel is intended for a future water storage tank, sewer lift station and potable well; funding and construction would follow as the city pursues bonding or loan financing.

Other procedural votes: the council adopted the consent calendar and the meeting agenda earlier in the session by unanimous votes.

Votes and outcomes were unanimous (5–0) for each item listed above. Staff will forward assessment resolutions to MBS for tax-roll placement and proceed with contract and closing steps on the approved property purchase and MOU implementation.