Council adopts department work plans; Measure H revenue cited as stabilizing factor as crossing-guard funding remains unresolved

The Lafayette City Council on June 9 approved department work plans for fiscal year 2025‑26 and discussed the proposed budget framework, which assumes baseline receipts from the half‑cent Measure H sales tax passed by voters last fall. Councilmembers and staff emphasized fiscal discipline and recommended using any excess funds to address deferred infrastructure maintenance.

Work plans adopted: Staff told the council that departments had aligned projects to council priorities identified in a March workshop and that department heads had trimmed tasks to reflect staffing levels and mandates. The council voted to approve the multi‑department work plans as presented.

Measure H and the fiscal outlook: City staff said Measure H has stabilized the city’s near‑term finances, and the draft budget assumes $2.4 million in annual Measure H revenue (with roughly $450,000 estimated for the April‑June portion of the current fiscal year). Staff urged fiscal restraint because the five‑year model shows only a modest buffer above the…