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St. Helena council hears $1.9M shortfall in draft 2025–27 budget; businesses urge restoring tourism funding
Summary
City staff presented a draft two-year budget that would withdraw roughly $1.7 million from reserves in year one and about $3 million over two years if current proposals remain. Council and the public pressed for clearer plans on cuts and potential revenue options; business leaders urged preserving funding for destination marketing.
St. Helena City Manager Carmelo and Administrative Director Mandy Kellogg presented the city's proposed fiscal 2025'—26 and 2026'—27 operating budget on May 13, outlining staff-recommended reductions and the need to draw on reserves to balance operations.
The administration said revenues are growing slowly (about 4.4% projected) while expenses'particularly pension and other fixed costs'are increasing faster. Staff identified roughly $1,940,000 in potential reductions and estimated the draft budget would still require about $1,700,000 to be withdrawn from reserves in the first year and about $3,000,000 over two years if no additional revenue measures are adopted.
Kellogg and Finance Manager Martin Beltran told council the draft includes no cuts to library, parks and recreation, emergency services or the…
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