Agoura Hills reviews biennial budget, approves community grants and $3,000 festival support

Agoura Hills City Council met in a budget workshop where staff presented the proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 and the council approved its community grants package, including a $3,000 appropriation for the Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest and modest increases to several nonprofit allocations.

The proposed general fund budget for FY 2025–26 shows total revenues of $20,861,987 and projected revenues of $21,542,416 for FY 2026–27, city finance staff told the council. Staff highlighted seven revenue streams with taxes and assessments the largest single category; the budgeted tax total listed was $16,523,303 for FY 2025–26 and $17,070,398 for FY 2026–27. Director of Finance Mr. Ibanez described a conservative forecasting approach that reflected current macroeconomic pressures and a recent fee study that increased charges for services to an estimated $1,395,023 in year one and $1,496,518 in year two.

The workshop emphasized public safety as the single largest expenditure in the general fund. Staff reported the city appropriated $5,649,409 for public safety in FY 2025–26. Overall, staff presented a near-balanced two-year plan that showed a small surplus of $8,092 in 2025–26 and a…