Measure S oversight committee reviews FY 2026–27 budget, directs quick pool fixes and an engineering study

The Measure S Oversight Committee on March 10 reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget for the city’s voter‑approved 1% Measure S sales tax and gave staff direction to pursue near‑term and longer‑term fixes for persistent condensation at the municipal pool.

City manager (speaker 4) told the committee Measure S generates approximately $2.33 million a year in sales‑tax revenue and that, with a projected reimbursement from the fire district, total Measure S‑related receipts this year would be a little over $2.8 million. Staff presented estimated total expenditures a little over $3.1 million and several fund‑balance estimates: an estimated year‑end balance of about $207,965, a fiscally conservative forecast of roughly $271,000 under routine savings assumptions, and a warning that spending every dollar in the budget would reduce reserves to about $129,007.81. Staff cautioned that without a modest ongoing savings rate the Measure S balance could turn negative within roughly three years under current spending assumptions.

Why it matters: Measure S funds are earmarked to augment services in four community priorities — fire, police, streets and the pool — and the committee’s recommendations will go to the city council as the council finalizes the city’s overall budget.

What staff presented

City manager (speaker 4) and staff walked the committee through department line items. Key Measure S allocations discussed included: a total fire department cost line…