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Oceanside council reviews proposed $239.7M budget, directs staff to seek restoration of $26,000 for senior programs
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Summary
City staff outlined a balanced FY 2026–27 general fund budget with $239.7 million in revenues and a projected $130,000 surplus. Council voted 5–0 to ask staff to explore options to restore $26,000 in one‑time senior programming money and directed staff to return June 3 for final adoption.
The Oceanside City Council on April 15 reviewed a proposed FY 2026–27 general fund operating budget that city staff described as balanced and fiscally cautious.
Financial Services Director Jill Moya told the council the proposal shows total general fund revenues of $239,700,000 and ongoing expenses of $239,570,000, producing a modest projected surplus of $130,000 while recommending $950,000 in one‑time expenditures. Moya said the main revenue streams are property tax, sales tax and transient occupancy tax.
City Manager Borrego framed the budget amid “a period of a lot of economic uncertainty,” noting the city has healthy reserves but that some reserve balances are already committed to projects such as the Santa Luire River improvements. “I would certainly not recommend doing anything to tap into our reserves at this point,” he said.
Council members pressed staff for detail on proposed additions, including firefighter paramedics, two police officers and an information systems analyst. Moya said personnel increases include six full‑time and two part‑time positions funded in part by general and non‑general funds.
Public commenters raised concerns about the loss of one‑time senior programming funds. Edward Fitzpatrick said he was told earlier that the senior center on Country Club Lane would lose $26,000 for program activities, and asked the council to restore the money. Parks and Recreation Director Manny Gonzales confirmed the $26,000 had been one‑time funding in the prior year and would not automatically carry into the new budget.
After discussion, Mayor Sanchez moved and Deputy Mayor Joyce seconded a direction for staff to find options to restore the $26,000 for senior programming; the motion carried 5–0.
Council also debated a proposal to establish a tenant legal assistance fund intended to help low‑income residents with eviction‑related representation. Deputy Mayor Joyce and Council Member Figueroa argued the program would prevent homelessness and recommended a pilot; other council members expressed reservations about scope and city responsibilities. The motion failed, recorded as a 2–3 vote.
Finally, Council Member Weiss moved to accept staff’s draft packages for the general fund, Measure X, utilities, CIP and harbor budgets and to direct staff to return June 3 with final adoption materials; the council approved that motion 5–0.
What happens next: staff said it will bring a formal budget adoption item to the council on June 3 and will include options to restore the senior programming funds for council consideration.
