Monrovia council adopts two-year budget, approves fees and position list

Monrovia — The Monrovia City Council on June 17 adopted a two-year budget for fiscal years 2025–27, approved an updated schedule of fees and charges and authorized city staffing lists, while directing staff to continue monitoring revenue and cost pressures.

The 2025–27 budget passed by roll-call vote includes one-time settlement proceeds related to PFAS litigation, continued contributions toward pension liabilities and funding for capital projects. City staff and council said the budget is conservative and that the city is positioned to adjust if economic conditions change.

The budget matters because it sets spending and revenue priorities on personnel, infrastructure and services for the next two years. City staff told the council the plan balances known liabilities — including rising CalPERS unfunded accrued liability (UAL) and personnel costs — while preserving flexibility through tight spending controls, vacancy strategies and a Section 115 trust.

Finance staff presented the plan as a high-level recap of two prior study sessions. The fiscal package the council approved includes: a general-fund operating plan, a capital improvement program (CIP) appropriation, payment strategies for retirement liabilities and an updated fees schedule. Staff said the General Fund will record a one-time PFAS settlement revenue of $3,670,000 in year one and $140,000 in year two; those proceeds were designated to be set aside in a separate account.

City staff described the major upward pressure on costs as CalPERS UAL increases (an estimated $1.7 million increase in year one and $906,000 in year two), higher personnel and maintenance-and-operations costs, and a decline in sales tax from the city’s peak year. To mitigate those pressures, the budget assumes conservative revenues, targeted vacancy savings, contract reviews, and a lump-sum UAL payment in July to realize estimated interest savings.

Buffy Bullis, a city staff member who presented the plan, said the city will continue to seek outside funding for projects and will return to council with quarterly budget updates. The CIP in the two-year budget proposes roughly $23 million in appropriations in 2025–26 and nearly $4 million in 2026–27; staff said they will return to council for formal approval of individual projects prior to contract award.

Votes at a glance - Adopt budget (Resolution No. 2025-30), approve schedule of fees and charges (Resolution No. 2025-31) and authorize position listings for FY 2025–27 — outcome: approved by roll call (Councilmembers Belden, Jimenez, Feisser, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kelly and Mayor Becky Shevlin voted yes). - Confirm levy and collection for Lighting & Landscape Maintenance District (Resolution No. 2025-32) — outcome: approved. - Confirm levy and collection for Park Maintenance District (Resolution No. 2025-33) — outcome: approved. - Consent Calendar CC1–CC17 (routine items) — approved. - Boards/commissions appointments (multiple reappointments and new appointments across Planning, Historic Preservation, Community Services, Library Board and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board) — accepted by the mayor without objection.

Council comments and next steps Council members commended staff for prior study sessions and the level of detail in the packet. Staff said they will continue reviewing options to close an operational gap projected in the second budget year and will return regularly with updates. Several councilmembers asked staff to explore additional CIP funding for year two if possible.

Speakers quoted or cited in the meeting included Buffy Bullis (staff member, budget presentation) and multiple council members during roll call and comment.

Ending Council approved the budget package and related resolutions by unanimous roll-call vote. Staff will begin implementation and will present quarterly updates and project-level actions to council over the coming year.