Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chula Vista ESD posts $25M net increase in unaudited 2023–24 results; trustees press staff for November/December reduction options
Summary
Fiscal staff reported a $25.2 million net increase in 2023–24 unaudited actuals (revenue +$7M, expenditures −$18M) and showed multi‑year projections that still forecast a potential $19M deficit without adjustments. Trustees requested concrete reduction options and a public plan in November–December.
The district's fiscal team presented the 2023–24 unaudited actuals and a multi‑year projection that prompted detailed trustee questioning about vacancies, rolled‑over purchase orders and one‑time funds.
Finance staff reported that year‑end revenues were about $7 million higher and expenditures roughly $18 million lower than prior estimates, producing a net increase of about $25.2 million in the fund balance. Site carryover totaled approximately $2.4 million and the district identified restricted and one‑time items that created much of the variance.
The presentation listed savings areas including vacancies (salaries and benefits underspent by roughly $5.66 million) and reduced materials and supplies spending (about $4.9 million). Staff explained that some vacancies were in areas hard to recruit for (custodians, bus drivers, instructional aides) and that some savings were tied to restricted programs (e.g., after‑school programming and ELOP) and therefore not available for general operations.
Fiscal staff warned trustees that the multi‑year projection assumed the May revise COLA (2.73% in their model) and noted the district will model lower COLA scenarios; without adjustments the forecast showed a multi‑year structural gap of roughly $19 million. Trustees pressed for a clear menu of reduction options and asked the administration to return with recommendations in November or December so the board can set priorities ahead of the first interim.
What happens next: The superintendent said departments are reviewing ‘‘reductions’’ that minimize frontline impacts, including shifting in‑house services (carpet cleaning) and standardizing technology purchases; trustees directed district staff to present specific reduction options and impacts by November–December.
