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Council adopts year‑end budget adjustments, sets aside $50,000 for immigration aid pending program details
Summary
The council approved recommended fiscal year‑end adjustments that increase reserves, fund facility maintenance and allocate one‑time funds for wayfinding and police station phase‑2; council also agreed to earmark $50,000 for immigration-related assistance, subject to program details to be returned at the next meeting.
Santa Paula — City finance staff presented unaudited FY24–25 results showing overall revenues 8.7% over budget and a one‑time fund balance of roughly $2.6 million. On Nov. 5 the City Council adopted recommended year‑end budget adjustments that earmark funds for reserves, capital projects and one‑time needs, and they signaled conditional support for a $50,000 set‑aside for immigration assistance.
Finance Director reviewed revenue drivers: development activity produced one‑time gains across general, Measure R and Measure T sales-tax categories (each roughly $320,000 over anticipated amounts). Salary savings from vacancies contributed materially to the fund balance. Staff proposed one‑time allocations including a $120,000 general-fund retention bonus component, a $300,000 increase to general-fund reserves, $100,000 for building/facilities maintenance, $150,000 toward a $750,000 wayfinding program, and funding to complete Police Department phase‑2 work (identified need ~ $1.2M overall). Measure T and Measure R recommendations included the 8th Street lighting and downtown parking projects previously described.
Separately, Councilmembers Crosswhite and Morales (immigration ad hoc) asked for urgency in providing immediate humanitarian assistance and requested that $50,000 be set aside now to address needs while the ad hoc completes program recommendations. Other members urged caution and asked that the ad hoc present implementation details at the next meeting. Finance staff clarified the council can earmark the funds now or add the allocation at the next meeting; no check will be cut until council approves a specific program. The council adopted the budget adjustments with a caveat that any unspent amount from the 8th Street lighting item roll to downtown parking repairs.
What’s next: Ad hoc members will present proposed program details for immigration assistance at the next meeting; staff will return with project-level plans for wayfinding, station phase‑2 and other capital items.
