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Paso Robles council approves mid‑cycle budget amendments, sets appropriations limit
Summary
City council approved mid‑cycle amendments to the two‑year budget, updates to the master pay schedule and the fiscal 2025–26 appropriations limit, and directed regular budget monitoring as forecasts show the general fund drawing toward policy reserves.
The Paso Robles City Council on June 17 approved mid‑cycle amendments to the city's two‑year operating and capital budget, updated the master pay schedule and set the fiscal 2025–26 appropriations limit.
The moves formalize staff recommendations to revise revenue and expenditure assumptions for the current budget cycle and adopt a $70,160,625 appropriations limit for 2025–26. Administrative Services Director Brian Cornell told council the changes respond to lower‑than‑expected revenues in several capital projects and cautious forecasts for sales tax and other ongoing revenue streams.
The council approved the package unanimously. "There is work to do," Cornell said in his presentation, noting the general fund is projected to fall toward the city's 30% reserve policy in the coming fiscal year if no additional actions are taken.
Cornell described the larger context: the city is trimming capital and revenue assumptions after a planned recycled‑water distribution project and related grant and debt proceeds were paused, and is recognizing gross landfill tipping revenues along with the contract expense going to the operator for clearer accounting. He said supplemental sales‑tax receipts tied to Measure I‑24 and Measure E‑12 continue to provide funding for police, fire and roads, and remain a separate resource the city expects to invest in public safety and pavement work.
Council members pressed staff on several items during the discussion, including the timing of hotel openings that affect transient occupancy tax estimates, and the city's options for accelerating road repairs such as bonding versus pay‑as‑you‑go. City Manager Christopher Huot said staff will return with more detailed scenarios if the council requests them. Council also directed that the city continue semiannual fiscal updates and monitoring as forecasted gaps are worked.
The council approved: (1) a resolution amending operating and capital appropriations and the authorized staffing schedule for FY 2025–26, and (2) a resolution establishing the FY 2025–26 appropriations limit. Both measures passed by unanimous vote.
