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% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for full‑time staff effective July 1, 2025; increases to the city27s maximum employer health‑insurance contribution from $2,750 to $2,900 per month effective Jan. 1, 2026 (also extended to council members); an enhanced deferred‑compensation match for general employees (dollar‑for‑dollar up to $120 per pay period); and a dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 3% for executive staff.

Byrd reported recommended CalPERS employee contribution settings of 5% for classic members and 7.75% for PEPRA members. Under the city manager27s employment agreement staff recommended a 3.1% base‑pay increase, an auto allowance increase to $550 per month, a 1.5% increase in the city27s retirement contribution (capped so the city manager27s total match does not exceed 6.5%), and a $15,000 performance bonus for FY 2025–26.

Council members praised the manager and staff. Council member Chris Anstead said the increase and bonus were “well deserved,” and Council member Anderson and Council member Deborah Klein Lopez echoed support for retaining staff and recognizing long hours. The council approved the compensation and contract amendment items unanimously.

On the fire hazard item, Building Official Lucas Quach summarized Cal Fire27s updated 2025 fire hazard severity zone mapping process and state requirements under Senate Bill 63 and Assembly Bill 211. Quach said the update expands the city27s very high fire designation by 374 acres to 3,890 acres and results in about 94% of the city being classified in some level of fire hazard zone. He recommended adopting the Cal Fire designation without amendment and filing it with the state.

Public comment on the mapping urged the city to press Cal Fire to present parcel‑level clarity and to provide clear public messaging about what the maps mean for residents. The council discussed that the map adoption is distinct from future local land‑use or building‑code decisions; members said the city treats much of Agoura Hills as high hazard in practice and urged homeowners to pursue home‑hardening measures now.

All motions described above passed by roll call votes of 5–0. The council also approved routine agenda and consent calendar items earlier in the meeting by unanimous votes.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda — approved 5–0 (roll call: Anderson, Anstead, Klein Lopez, Wolf, Mayor Sylvester). - Motion to adopt the consent calendar — approved 5–0. - Compensation and benefits package (resolution 25‑2108; rescind 22‑2012; adopt 25‑2109; adopt 25‑2110 and 25‑2111; amend city manager agreement; performance bonus) — approved 5–0. - Adoption of the biennial budget and related resolutions (25‑2112 and 25‑2113) — approved 5–0. - Waive full reading and introduce ordinance 025479 (adopt Cal Fire 2025 fire hazard severity zones; CEQA exemption determination) — approved 5–0.

What happens next - Budget documents will be entered into the city accounting system and posted on the city website. - The city manager27s amended agreement and bonus will be processed per the approved amendment. - The adopted fire hazard severity zone ordinance will be filed with the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and inform future local planning, public‑safety messaging and defensible‑space outreach.