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City releases FY 2025–26 budget proposal: general fund ~ $159M, $3M returned to CIP; council to review before June adoption
Summary
Finance staff presented the proposed FY 2025–26 budget to the Santa Cruz City Council, describing a $159 million operating general fund, an $108 million citywide CIP and the reinstatement of limited general‑fund transfers to capital totaling about $3 million.
City finance staff on May 27 presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, describing a cautious approach that restores limited capital investments while maintaining operating reserves. The presentation focused on the operating general fund (about $159 million), planned transfers to capital programs, and steps the city is taking to improve transparency and budgeting tools.
Top‑line figures and revenue context
Finance Director Elizabeth Cavill and Budget Manager Emily Burton told the council the proposed operating general fund is roughly $159 million. Citywide capital investment program (CIP) spending for the period is shown at about $108 million. Staff proposed reinstating limited transfers to ongoing capital needs — a roughly $3 million general‑fund transfer to the CIP plus smaller transfers to the Economic Development Trust Fund and the streets fund — after two years of pulling back because of uncertain revenue.
Staff emphasized the budget remains conservative on revenue assumptions. It includes new, voter‑approved and local revenue items that were assumed during development: Measure L (0.5%…
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