Willows adopts balanced fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget

The Willows City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget on June 24 by a 5–0 vote.

Finance staff presented an updated version of the proposed budget that incorporated a newly approved full-time librarian position and corrected an earlier line-item placement. Joanne Moore, who presented the final budget, said the edits increased expenditures from the previously presented draft; she described key increases as accounting for the sheriff contract, health insurance, negotiated salary increases from recent labor agreements, pension liability and property insurance. She also identified one-time and recurring needs including IT equipment replacement, a public works vehicle, updates to municipal code and audiovisual upgrades for council chambers.

Council members praised the budget presentation and noted the city is moving back to a balanced position. One council member observed the budget uses no general fund reserves and projected a current fiscal-year surplus of about $300,000 with a projected surplus next year of a little over $400,000. The council also noted the library’s budget increased significantly—approximately a 20% increase in the library budget—and flagged a future replacement of a fire engine expected in 2026 as a major capital consideration.

The formal motion to adopt the resolution titled “adopting the fiscal year 2025–2026 operating budget” was moved and seconded and passed on a roll call vote 5–0. After the vote, a member of the public offered brief praise for the council’s work on the budget.