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Board adopts 2025–26 budget after presentation that flagged state revenue uncertainty and structural deficit
Summary
Murrieta Valley Unified trustees adopted the 2025–26 general‑fund budget after staff outlined assumptions including a 2.3% statutory COLA, state deferrals, inflationary cost pressures (notably waste/utility increases), and ongoing unrestricted deficit projections balanced in part by one‑time reserves.
The Murrieta Valley Unified School District board adopted its proposed 2025–26 general‑fund budget after a detailed presentation from district finance staff outlining revenues, risks and multi‑year projections.
Mr. Whittington, who led the presentation, described key assumptions: a statutory cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) of roughly 2.3% for 2025–26 (the budget used a slightly higher projection that staff said they would reconcile in the 45‑day revise), continued state budget uncertainty and the use of deferrals as a Sacramento budgeting tool, and localized inflationary pressures (district staff said Waste Management has proposed an 18–24% increase in refuse service). He said a 1% COLA for the district is worth about $3–3.5 million, and that occasional swings between budget outlooks materially affect planning.
Staff said the district still projects some ongoing unrestricted deficit spending and is relying on one‑time savings and assigned fund balances to provide runway while seeking structural solutions. The presentation displayed three‑year projections showing restricted balances being spent down and unassigned balances declining from roughly $58 million to about $33 million in multi‑year projections; staff emphasized that one‑time savings prolong runway but do not solve structural deficits.
Trustees asked about federal/state timing, deferrals and contingency planning. Mr. Whittington said the district would update the budget after the state’s enacted budget and a statutory 45‑day revise and would present unaudited actuals for 2024–25 in September. The board then moved to adopt the budget and passed routine authorizing resolutions related to the education protection account, wire transfers and other financial housekeeping items (motions carried unanimously).
Staff said the budget supports district priorities and aligns with the Local Control and Accountability Plan adopted that evening; additional refinements will be presented after state budget finalization and during regular interim reports.
