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Wasco council adopts conservative FY 2025–26 operating budget and six-year capital program
Summary
The Wasco City Council adopted the city's FY 2025–26 operating budget and the 2025–2030 capital improvement program, with staff emphasizing a conservative revenue projection, a mid-year recalibration plan and upcoming rate studies for enterprise funds.
The Wasco City Council on June 17 adopted the city's fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget and the 2025–2030 capital improvement program.
City staff framed the budget as intentionally conservative in the face of economic uncertainty. A budget presentation said staff used two guiding principles: conservative revenue projections (staff cited consultant HDL's projection that revenues would be flat) and disciplined operating expense control to avoid overcommitments. Staff said mid-year recalibration would allow adjustments if revenues diverge from projections.
The presentation noted enterprise funds will enter a new cycle of rate studies to determine whether user rates should change. Staff also described personnel and organizational changes included in the draft budget: restoring an accounting manager role that had been frozen in prior years to increase financial capacity, continued vacancy management for certain positions in police and public works, and succession planning in the police department that affects whether an assistant police chief position will be filled immediately. Staff said budgeting for vacancies makes it easier to recruit and fill positions without returning to council for frequent budget amendments.
Council members asked about specific line items and sought clarifications. Council Member Reyna requested a correction to an erroneous fiscal year reference on page 120 of the agenda packet; staff agreed to correct the year. Council members asked for follow-up information on unfilled positions and the expected timeline for public-works and police staffing changes.
During discussion members noted public safety remains the city's largest expenditure. Staff said the public-safety budget has increased compared with last year and that ongoing costs tied to recent contract changes have contributed to higher projected public-safety spending. The council voted unanimously to adopt the budget.
The council also discussed capital and maintenance items mentioned in the budget presentation, including systematic valve replacements in the water system and a planned sidewalk/ADA ramp program phased over multiple years. Staff said valve work would be phased and that residents would be notified before short shutdowns required for valve replacements.
The adoption vote was taken by roll call. The mayor and all council members voted aye.
