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Paso Robles council adopts budget amendments to advance road projects and adjust staffing
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Summary
The council approved a suite of budget amendments, personnel reclassifications and a master pay schedule for FY 2026–28 that advance several road projects using $3.5 million in one‑time Measure J savings, appropriate ARPA interest to the pickleball project and add funds for riverbed debris cleanup and water system reclassification.
The Paso Robles City Council on Feb. 17 unanimously approved budget amendments, personnel reclassifications and a master pay schedule as part of the quarterly financial report and budget calendar for fiscal years 2026–28.
Administrative Services Director Ryan Cornell reviewed revenue and expenditure trends and said the city proposes appropriating about $3.5 million of Measure J one‑time savings to advance previously approved road projects (including Sherwood, Sarbanita and Commerce neighborhoods) because construction costs have increased. The staff package also recommended a $150,000 budget amendment to fund community action team debris and hazardous cleanup in the riverbed and to appropriate roughly $223,000 of accrued ARPA interest to the pickleball courts project to reduce development impact fee requirements.
Personnel items included reclassifying an engineering inspector to chief engineering inspector (cost ~ $20,000/year, cost recovery via development fees) and adjusting water distribution operator classifications to align with the Water Board’s move from a D‑3 to D‑4 system, with an estimated $14,000 annual cost to the water fund. Council discussed staffing, grant funding for bridges and a multi‑year road maintenance pipeline (about 15 active projects).
Councilmember Gregory moved and Councilmember Strong seconded adoption of Resolution 26660 authorizing the amendments, reclassifications and budget calendar; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff said next steps include moving project schedules forward for construction readiness and presenting detailed budget work plans during the March–April budget timeline.
