Oakland commission adopts FY 2024–25 budget amendment; staff leaves reserve cushion

The Town of Oakland Commission on Nov. 10 approved Resolution 2025‑13, a mid‑year amendment to the town’s fiscal year 2024–25 general fund budget, following a presentation from Finance Director Gabby Leon.

Leon told commissioners the town’s original general fund budget for FY 2024–25 was $9,827,002.68 and that revenues came in higher than projected. "We actually brought in 10.4 [million], so that gave us a surplus of 855,000," Leon said, and the amendment increases the adopted budget to about $10.1 million. She said the amendment deploys roughly $400,000 of that surplus for departmental and operational adjustments and leaves roughly $381,000 to flow into reserves. Leon also said staff set aside about $200,000 as a cushion for audit accruals such as payroll and capital invoice timing.

The amendment, required when fund‑level spending exceeds the adopted totals, was presented to the public and tabled for discussion at the meeting before Commissioner Ramos moved its approval; the motion passed by voice vote. Leon said the changes were driven by a mix of timing differences, higher personnel‑related costs following a compensation study, increases in contracted services and supply costs, and additional revenue streams the town received.

The commission’s action keeps the town within fund‑level budget compliance while preserving a margin to cover year‑end audit adjustments. Leon said she is continuing audit work and will return any unused portion of the $200,000 audit cushion to reserves after the fiscal close.

Next steps: the amendment is effective as adopted and will be reflected in the town’s financial statements and the pending audit.