Laguna Niguel council adopts biennial 2025–27 budget, approves CIP and fee updates

The Laguna Niguel City Council on Monday adopted a biennial operating and capital improvement budget for fiscal years 2025–27 and approved multiple related resolutions, funding authorizations and policy updates.

The council voted 5-0 to adopt the two-year budget, approve updates to the master fee schedule for Public Works and the Crown Valley Community Center, adopt salary-range amendments, and authorize specified uses of infrastructure reserves for two roadway projects. The motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made by Mayor Ray Genoway and seconded by Council Member Otto; the vote was unanimous.

The adopted budget sets combined operating and capital improvement totals of $80,800,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 and $82,500,000 for fiscal year 2026–27, and moves the city from an annual to a biennial budget cycle. Finance Director Agriilius told council the general fund is operationally balanced in both years, with projected general fund revenues of $56,500,000 and expenditures of $54,600,000 in 2025–26 (a $1,900,000 operating surplus) and projected revenues of $58,200,000 and expenditures of $56,000,000 in 2026–27 (a $2,200,000 operating surplus).

Nut graf: Council members said the two-year budget preserves services and directs surplus funds to capital projects and reserves while avoiding new taxes or debt. The package funds a multi-year capital improvement program (CIP) focused on roadway repairs, approves fee and salary updates, and authorizes reserve draws for two major road projects while adding a council-directed study of additional weed-abatement options on city-owned property.

Key decisions and funding details. Staff recommended transferring $2,700,000 from the general fund to the CIP fund and depositing $381,601 (FY25–26) and $1,007,421 (FY26–27) into infrastructure reserves. Council authorized using $1,400,000 from the infrastructure replacement and deferred…