Yucaipa council adopts balanced FY 2025–26 budget; Measure S funds routed to public safety, $6.3M in programs excluded

The Yucaipa City Council voted to adopt a balanced fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 9, approving a spending plan that includes a planned transfer from the general fund to the public safety fund to prioritize police and fire services.

City Finance Director Phil White presented the budget as “balanced” and said it reflects earlier council directions to protect public safety while trimming other services. "Tonight, the city team is presenting a balanced budget for fiscal year 2526 that holds the city's commitment made to voters with the approval of measure s," White said.

The nut graf: The council approved a one-year budget that relies on Measure S sales-tax revenue — which is collected into the general fund — and directs a large backfill transfer to public safety rather than reserving the Measure S proceeds in a restricted account. Staff and the Measure S citizen oversight committee said that will allow the city to avoid immediate cuts to fire and sheriff services but that the city must monitor receipts and service costs closely.

Budget details and context: Staff projected roughly $30 million in public-safety costs and $44 million in general-fund inflows and outflows for FY 2025–26. The adopted plan includes an $18 million transfer from the general fund to the public-safety fund; staff said that transfer is funded in part by Measure S receipts. Greg Franklin, chair of the Measure S citizen oversight committee, told council the committee "concur[s] with the service priorities" in the proposed plan and will review quarterly sales-tax receipts and the annual audit to confirm the plan aligns with voters’ intent.

The budget presentation flagged $6.3 million in exclusions for the coming fiscal year — items that were programmed in past years but removed from the FY 25–26 spending plan to achieve balance. City staff explained exclusions include community services programs and deferred maintenance that could be restored if revenue improves or strategic priorities change.

Council response and next steps: Council members asked for continued transparency and regular reporting to the public on Measure S flows and recommended that staff provide clear, periodic updates on community services and program reinstatement as receipts materialize. Council adopted the budget and the package of related items (items 1–10 on the meeting docket) in a roll-call vote: Councilmember Bieber — yes; Councilmember Miller — yes; Councilmember Woolsey — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Venable — yes; Mayor Thorpe — yes.

Ending: Staff said the Measure S oversight committee will meet quarterly as receipts begin to arrive and that staff will return to council if revenue or contract negotiations require midyear changes. The digital budget book and the full list of exclusions and carryovers are available on the city’s website for public review.