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Ventura LAFCO unveils proposed $1.19 million FY 2026–27 budget and directs stipend review
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Summary
LAFCO staff presented a proposed FY 2026–27 budget of $1,192,465, a 4.9% increase from the adopted year, citing salary adjustments and a newly budgeted legacy health reimbursement arrangement; commissioners approved the proposed budget and asked staff to research commissioner stipends and comparable local commissions.
LAFCO Executive Officer Mr. Lamont presented the commission’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27 on April 15, recommending a total expenditure plan of $1,192,465, an increase of about 4.9% from the current adopted budget.
Lamont told commissioners the proposed increase reflects higher salary and benefit costs, anticipated cash‑outs for management staff, and the need to budget a previously unanticipated recurring cost: a legacy health reimbursement arrangement that created an approximately $5,550 ongoing expense. "We only found out about it about two weeks ago... so that'll be talked about in the proposed budget," Mr. Lamont explained.
Why it matters: the proposed budget funds LAFCO operations while drawing $75,000 from the commission’s fund balance to moderate the share requested from funding agencies. Lamont said the commission would maintain a litigation reserve and a 60‑day working capital policy while gradually drawing down unassigned fund balance.
Commission discussion focused on specific revenue lines, reserve policy and whether commissioner stipends merit review. One commissioner asked about a revenue line for Oxnard Irrigation District No. 1 and whether a dormant district would affect LAFCO revenues. Mr. Lamont said the numbers were based on state reports for FY 2023–24 and acknowledged some districts show no current staff or board; in one case the outstanding amount was only a few dollars and collection methods were uncertain.
Several commissioners pressed staff to provide a comparative analysis of stipends paid to local boards, commissions and other LAFCOs. The commission asked staff to prepare a memo comparing local commissions and LAFCOs and to return with that analysis as a possible future agenda item.
Outcome: a motion to approve the proposed FY 2026–27 budget carried. The commission will consider a final budget at its May meeting; staff warned that a small transfer from contingencies may still be needed to cover the new recurring benefit cost.
Budget highlights reported by staff:
- Proposed total expenditures: $1,192,465 (approx. +4.9%). - Proposed use of fund balance: $75,000 to fund next fiscal year. - Projected year‑end fund balance (current year): about $105,926. - New recurring cost to budget: legacy health reimbursement (approx. $5,550 per year).
