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

Agoura Hills Mayor Sylvester and the City Council reviewed a proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 at a workshop and approved adjustments to the city's community grants program, including a $3,000 appropriation for the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Festival and $2,145.15 in increased awards to several nonprofit applicants. The council voted unanimously on the grants and related changes.

The budget presentation, led by Director of Finance Mr. Ibanez and City Manager Nate Hamburger, outlined a conservative revenue forecast and modest surpluses. Staff presented projected general fund revenues of $20,861,987 for fiscal year 2025–26 and $21,542,416 for fiscal year 2026–27, and reported a projected surplus of $8,092 in 2025–26 and $1,872 in 2026–27 after the proposed expenditures. Finance staff said public safety is the single largest general-fund expenditure, accounting for about 27% of the budget; staff listed a public-safety appropriation of $5,649,409 for 2025–26.

Why it matters: the council's workshop decisions set priorities for spending and reserves and guide staff as they prepare the final budget for adoption. Council members and department leaders framed the proposal as a conservative plan that maintains reserves while funding prioritized infrastructure and public-safety work.

Key points from staff and council discussion

- Revenue and reserves: Staff said the budget reflects conservative revenue estimates informed by a revenue consultant and a recent fee study. The city reported 27 special funds and a special-fund budget of $25,000,383 for 2025–26. Staff said the city's reserves are projected to be $13,870,372 at the end of the current year and are forecast to increase slightly in the two-year plan; staff cautioned that those reserves are not immediately liquid for other appropriations.

- Expense management and recommendations: Finance staff reported they recommended freezing two positions (one in finance and one in public works), not funding the city beautification account for the year, and pausing some discretionary contributions; staff noted one contract (Madea Creek) that the subcommittee recommended terminating was instead funded from a special fund.

- Economic development: The Land Use and Economic Development Subcommittee recommended a $5,000 appropriation to the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce to support programs that include Leadership Conejo and the chamber's 40 Under 40 recognition. Danielle Borgia, president and CEO of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, told council the chamber seeks partnership funding for leadership and recognition programs that hold sessions in Agoura Hills.

Public comment and local infrastructure concerns

Two residents who identified themselves as representing Old Agoura homeowners urged the council to prioritize repairs to Chesbrough Road and to fund trail-design work. Carolyn Tresino said the repairs are important for wildfire evacuation and for everyday users including equestrians, dog walkers, cyclists and parents with strollers. Serena Nuzzi, speaking as an Old Agoura homeowners-association board member, expressed disappointment that zoning concerns related to sober-living homes were not addressed in the current budget and asked that the council revisit those issues in the next fiscal year.

Community grants and festival funding

Council and staff reviewed community-grant requests and said the finance subcommittee confined recommendations to a $30,000 cap for the program. Council members discussed maintaining some longstanding sponsors and restoring funding for community events. A council member asked staff to reinstate a $3,000 contribution to the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Festival; council directed staff to include that appropriation and staff said it would be reflected in the final budget iteration.

Following additional adjustments to specific nonprofit awards discussed at the dais (including increases to Malibu Search and Rescue and an award for Many Mansions, and an increase for a wildlife/conservation applicant), staff calculated the total increase to community grants at $2,145.15. A council member made a motion to approve those adjustments; a roll call vote recorded all five council members voting aye. Staff then reported the net effect left a projected budget surplus of $2,946 after the festival appropriation and grant adjustments.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of the meeting agenda — approved by roll call, 5–0. - Direction/appropriation: $3,000 for the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Festival (council directed staff to include appropriation in the budget) — direction accepted by the council. - Community grants adjustments (increases totaling $2,145.15 and reallocated awards described during the workshop) — approved by roll call, 5–0.

Next steps and process notes

Staff said it will return a final proposed budget for formal adoption and will perform a mid-cycle review to revisit revenues and priorities. Finance staff said the city will monitor revenues and may propose changes at the quarterly and mid-cycle reviews if needed.

The workshop included public comment limited to budget-related remarks; the council emphasized that items raised in public comment cannot be discussed substantively at that moment unless agendized for a future meeting.