Reclamation District 900 adopts FY 2025–26 operations and maintenance budget

Reclamation District 900’s board on June 5 adopted the district’s operations and maintenance budget for fiscal year 2025–26 after a presentation from staff and discussion of key revenue and expense changes.

The proposed budget incorporates a 2.25% increase in the district’s drainage assessment that the board previously approved as part of the consent agenda and a 2.5% salary increase for district staff to match Social Security adjustments, both built into the proposed spending plan. Staff also removed the Flood Maintenance Assistance Program (FMAP) grant from anticipated revenues after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) cut the program from the state budget; staff said the district received about $300,000 from that program in the prior year.

In presenting the budget, the district’s general manager reviewed this year’s projected close, noting assessments have come in strong and that the district expects to add roughly $1.5 million to reserves for a capital improvement plan. He called out expense overages driven by a roughly 17% rise in liability insurance and a training/licensing expense to certify staff who operate air‑brake trucks. The budget also includes modest increases to fuel and electricity estimates because those costs have risen.

Trustees asked for clearer line‑item comparisons in future staff reports. One trustee requested a column showing year‑to‑year dollar changes to make it easier to spot major variances; staff said the board report summarizes the principal changes and that a more detailed column could be provided going forward.

The board moved, seconded and then approved the budget; members recorded aye votes and the item was approved. The staff report and budget documents, the general manager said, will serve as the basis for the district’s capital improvement program.