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Loma Linda council approves midyear budget adjustments; general fund deficit narrows
Summary
Council approved staff recommendations to increase citywide revenues by $1,220,900 and expenditures by $989,600, reducing the general fund deficit to about $320,100. The package includes a sales‑tax reconciliation, higher permit revenue and fire overtime costs.
The Loma Linda City Council on Feb. 14 approved midyear adjustments to the city’s 2025–26 budget, voting to increase citywide revenues by $1,220,900 and expenditures by $989,600. Staff said the changes shrink the general fund deficit to roughly $320,100.
Finance staff explained revenue upsides included a $546,700 sales‑tax correction due to a late remittance by a local business, $83,400 in additional property tax apportionment, $59,800 in intergovernmental revenue tied to vehicle license fee apportionments, and $135,000 in higher licenses and permits driven by fire permits and plan checks. Charges for services were projected to rise by $368,500, primarily reflecting the law enforcement services contract with Loma Linda University Medical Center and higher pass‑through fees.
On the expenditure side, staff requested an increase of $370,500 in general fund expenditures; notable items included a $550,000 increase for fire services to cover overtime related to injuries, illnesses and mutual‑aid assignments and a modest increase of $11,400 for public works labor and IT costs. Across all funds, staff proposed net citywide revenue increases of $1,220,900 and expenditure increases of $989,600.
“This review reflects updated receipts and necessary adjustments; staff recommends the council approve the revenue and expenditure changes as presented,” the finance presenter told the council, noting the recommended changes are supported by attachments in the staff report.
Council members probed whether the fire overtime variance was annualized and whether midyear gains permit rehiring of vacant positions. Fire leadership said overtime and injuries were the key drivers of the spike and that reimbursements from mutual aid can lag. The city manager said he prefers to hold vacancies rather than rehire and risk future layoffs if revenues deteriorate.
Councilmember Obesco moved to approve the midyear budget changes; the motion carried unanimously.
The midyear action also updates enterprise and capital fund projections: the sewer fund expects higher pass‑through payments tied to San Bernardino rate changes; enterprise capital shows net decreases in some project projections; and a housing authority expense of $600,000 for a planned Cole Street housing project was noted and will return to council for future consideration.
