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Big Bear Lake council adopts balanced $65.6 million budget for fiscal 2025–26
Summary
The City of Big Bear Lake adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, maintaining staffing levels, funding $9.9 million in capital projects this year and a five‑year $32 million CIP. Council also approved related resolutions including a publicly available pay schedule and a law enforcement services contract.
The City of Big Bear Lake adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 11, approving a $65.6 million spending plan that funds operating needs and a five‑year capital improvement program.
City finance staff presented a balanced budget that maintains current staffing at 72 full‑time positions and programs $9.9 million in capital appropriations for the coming year as part of a five‑year CIP totaling about $32 million. Major priorities listed in the budget include street improvements, infrastructure maintenance, public safety and economic development support.
City staff said the budget projects total revenues of approximately $48 million (excluding interfund transfers) and budgeted expenditures of $65.6 million, with $4.8 million of fund balance being used largely to support capital projects. The presentation noted the general fund appropriation of roughly $27 million and that the city plans to maintain a fund balance of about $24 million across all funds at fiscal year end.
Council voted to approve the budget along with a resolution adopting a publicly available pay schedule effective July 1, 2025, and authorized execution of the law enforcement services contract included in the budget. Roll call on the main budget resolution returned unanimous support from the five council members present.
The budget presentation also noted ongoing work on the city’s fee study, plans to initiate a general plan amendment next fiscal year and continued implementation of the housing element action items. Staff emphasized that roughly 90% of capital projects are pay‑as‑you‑go rather than debt‑funded.
Councilmembers discussed several related items during deliberations, including potential support for the Chamber of Commerce (a separate motion to add $25,000 to the budget for an MOU failed after a roll call vote), and questions about various departmental requests. The council directed staff to return with an agenda item to consider an MOU for Chamber support.
The council’s adoption ends the budget process for 2025–26 and sets appropriation authority for departments; staff will return with further details on fee and program implementations during the fiscal year.
