Soledad staff present balanced $60.5 million proposed FY2025–26 budget; council to consider adoption next week

Soledad city staff presented a recommended $60.5 million operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at a June budget workshop, asking the City Council to review the document and return next week to take formal action.

The city manager recommended the proposed budget and said it is balanced for 2025–26 “with the use of $510,000 of our general fund operating reserve.” Finance staff described the binder and supporting exhibits as “the collective work of over 200 hours to put this binder together.”

City staff said the proposed budget keeps staffing flat with no new full‑time positions while incorporating three reclassifications: two reclassifications in community and economic development (including converting an administrative assistant and a building permit technician into development permit technician roles), a police sergeant reclassified to lieutenant, and an assistant engineer reclassified to a project/construction manager. Staff noted the budget reflects a status‑quo approach and additional internal cuts were discussed but judged impractical for department operations.

Why it matters: staff described the budget as fiscally balanced for 2025–26 but thin, with limited room for additional operating expenses or capital spending absent new revenue. The presentation stressed…