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San Bernardino adopts $348.7M 2025–26 budget; council directs $31.2M in one‑time spending and several amendments
Summary
The council adopted a $348.7 million multiyear budget and capital-improvement plan, drawing $31.2 million from fund balance to advance streets and facilities. During public hearing the council added one‑time allocations for homeless‑encampment cleanup, tree stump removal, sidewalk repair and directed staff to return on park restroom options.
The San Bernardino City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget and a 2026–2030 capital improvement program on June 4, approving a $348.7 million multi‑fund plan that uses $31.2 million of fund balance for one‑time infrastructure and operations investments.
City staff described a balanced general fund budget that assumes $228.2 million in general‑fund expenditures and $23.8 million of capital funding advanced from fund balance to accelerate street segments and facility work. The budget package reflects a targeted 5% reduction in departmental operating budgets, a six‑month hiring deferral estimated to save about $8.1 million, and reallocation of roughly $3.0 million from general fund to gas tax for operations and maintenance.
During the public hearing the council approved several council amendments using one‑time unassigned fund balance to address high‑priority needs, including: - $124,800 to restore and sustain the city’s homeless‑encampment cleanup crews (motion passed unanimously). - $500,000 for removal and stump grinding of an estimated 2,500–3,000 dead trees citywide (motion passed unanimously); staff said the work could be procured competitively and would likely be a one‑time production contract. - Direction to staff to return within 30 days with a plan to reopen and maintain park restrooms safely; the council approved staff returning with options rather than immediately allocating the requested $500,000 (substitute motion passed unanimously to return with options in ~30 days). - A one‑time allocation of $2.0 million for police vehicle acquisition and outfitting; council asked staff and the police chief to return in 30 days with a vehicle‑replacement plan and exact funding need (substitute motion passed 4–2). - $1.0 million for sidewalk repairs to reduce trip/fall liabilities (motion passed 6–1).
City finance staff emphasized the plan maintains reserves above policy targets after the one‑time draw and said the appropriation limits required by state law remain well below the city’s cap. The council also approved procedural items required for budget adoption, including the appropriations limit and an updated salary schedule.
The budget vote was taken after two public workshops and formal public hearing; councilmembers said the package aims to balance near‑term service restoration with long‑term fiscal resilience.
Quotes from staff: “This budget aligns our strategic goals and proposes a balanced plan while leveraging 1‑time funds for infrastructure,” Finance Director Jeanne Fortune said during the hearing.
