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Finance director outlines 10 strategic goals for Buellton's 2025–27 biennial budget; council asks for clearer economic development objective
Summary
Finance Director Chanel Zamora presented proposed goals and objectives to guide the city's upcoming biennial budget. Council asked staff to refine an objective for economic development and noted upcoming budget discussions including the sheriff contract.
Finance Director Chanel Zamora presented the proposed key strategic goals and objectives that will guide the preparation of Buellton’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27. Zamora said the goals align with best practices from NACSLB and GFOA and drew on the city’s existing vision plan and prior budget goals.
Zamora reviewed nine existing goals and suggested adding a tenth: government efficiency and transparency (leveraging technology and fostering community engagement). The listed goals included maintaining a balanced budget; funding trails and bike paths; supporting economic development; improving Avenue of Flags; sound planning and development; emergency preparedness; maintaining infrastructure and sustainability; promoting arts and culture; and increasing resources for residents.
Council questions focused on long‑term liabilities and capital needs. Council Member Hornick asked whether CalPERS unfunded accrued liability and other post‑employment benefits are funded from the operating budget; Zamora confirmed they are and noted they are a moving target that varies with CalPERS performance. Council members also asked about wastewater treatment capacity and the timing of possible plant expansions; staff said flow capacity is currently adequate but nutrient and treatment parameters are approaching limits and the master plan will be updated.
Vice Mayor Lewis and other members asked staff to draft a clearer, actionable objective for economic development — for example, how the city would work with the Chamber or restart an Economic Development Task Force — and staff agreed to return with proposed objectives for council consideration as part of the budget process. Council also flagged the sheriff’s contract as a topic for a deeper budget dive at a future meeting and staff said they will place that on the schedule ahead of budget adoption.
No formal vote was required; staff will use the council’s direction to shape the draft biennial budget and return with proposed objectives and budget options for council review.
