Calabasas council narrows revenue options; residents press for more patrols and lighting after series of break-ins

The Calabasas City Council continued a Sept. 10 study session on the city's budget shortfall and directed staff to return with specific ballot and outreach options after hearing repeated pleas from residents for more neighborhood safety measures.

The mayor said the city needs about $2 million a year to break even and possibly $3–4 million to address deferred maintenance and restore healthy reserves, and outlined potential revenue paths including a general sales tax, a transient occupancy tax (TOT) on local hotel stays, parcel or business taxes, or a voter-initiated measure. The mayor noted the legal thresholds: a council-initiated general tax requires 50% plus one to pass, while a tax dedicated to a specific purpose — for example public safety — would require a two-thirds vote.

"We need about 2 million to break even," the mayor said, adding that cutting the same amount from payroll would require eliminating an estimated 20% of city positions. The mayor also warned that litigation and insurance costs have been rising unpredictably, contributing to the fiscal gap.

Residents who spoke urged a mix of short- and long-term responses. Christine Cooper, a Via Verde-area resident, told the council she has lived on Dry Creek/Cold Canyon since 2019 and described seven break-ins in that period. "It's pitch dark back there," she told the council, and urged additional lighting, camera coverage linked to a real-time monitoring center, and increased patrols.

Council members and staff said some of the sheriff contract increase is driven by county pricing and rising JPIA insurance costs, and emphasized that public safety remains a top priority. The council acknowledged the limits of routine patrols in open-space areas and noted deputies with off-road training and specialized teams can provide targeted coverage when staffing allows. Deputy Dave Mateo offered to meet with homeowners associations to discuss hardening homes and other options.

Longtime resident Dennis Washburn proposed a short-term ad hoc public working group or charette to explore volunteer-led outreach, sponsorships and partnerships to support any ballot measure and to help craft a message for voters.

Council members said they favor pursuing either a sales tax or TOT (with a preference for TOT in some comments) and asked staff to provide a clear timeline that covers: petition and signature deadlines, costs for special versus general elections, estimated ballot costs, and the deadlines needed to appear on the November 2026 general election ballot. The council cautioned against placing competing local and county sales tax measures on the same ballot without accounting for how the California Constitution treats conflicting measures.

What happens next: The council asked staff to return quickly with a menu of options — including costs and deadlines for a voter initiative, a council-initiated measure on the 2026 general election, and the mechanics or estimated cost of a special election — and with outreach plans so residents can weigh in before a final direction is selected.