Agoura Hills council adopts two‑year budget, approves manager bonus and adopts updated fire hazard map

The Agoura Hills City Council on Wednesday adopted a balanced biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, approved several salary and benefit adjustments for executive and nonrepresented staff including a $15,000 performance bonus for the city manager, and adopted Cal Fire27s updated Local Responsibility Area fire hazard severity zone map.

Director of Finance Diego Ibanez opened the budget public hearing, saying, “This evening concludes the planning process for the City of Agoura Hills biannual budget process.” Ibanez told the council staff had balanced both years and built conservatively; the current fiscal year closed with a reported surplus of $18.72.

The council approved the budget after deliberations that emphasized public safety, wildfire preparedness and maintaining reserves. Council members said they supported the priorities laid out in the document and praised the finance staff for the presentation and conservative assumptions.

Human Resources Manager Celeste Byrd outlined the compensation items required by SB 1436 disclosure rules, recommending a 3.1%…