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Audit and Finance Committee previews Atwater City draft budget, flags roughly $350,000 structural shortfall
Summary
Atwater City’s audit and finance committee reviewed the draft fiscal year 2025–26 budget, discussed an estimated $350,000 structural deficit, and set a June 9 target for council adoption while inviting public input and strategic-plan workshops to guide larger changes.
Atwater City’s Audit and Finance Committee met and previewed the draft fiscal year 2025–26 budget, with staff advising the committee that the packet (published May 22) would be presented to the full council and that the city aims to adopt the budget by June 9 to allow finance staff time to implement transactions before the July 1 fiscal start.
Staff told the committee the draft budget focuses on the general fund and includes slides on enterprise funds. They reported that the proposed budget contains a remaining structural deficit that has been reduced from prior projections and estimated to be roughly $350,000. Staff said some of that reduction reflects conservative expense management, including temporarily-held vacancies; additional, longer-term solutions would be discussed during the city’s upcoming strategic-plan workshop.
Committee members and staff emphasized that the meeting was a workshop-style preview to solicit public and council input rather than to finalize the budget. Staff recommended using the strategic-plan process to identify priorities that may require future budget amendments or earlier workshop scheduling in the fiscal cycle so council priorities can be reflected when staff prepares the next budget.
The committee also noted that the council agenda following the budget item includes a public safety expenditure plan. Members said they expect public comment at the council meeting to inform guidance on how to define and apply the plan’s “other” spending category.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: Motion by Rochester; second by Ambry. Vote: Rochester yes; Ambry yes. Outcome: approved. - April 28, 2025 minutes: Motion by Ambry; second by Rochester. Vote: Rochester yes; Ambry yes. Outcome: approved. - Treasurer’s report (unaudited, month ending April 30, 2025): Motion to forward report to city council by Rochester; second by Ambry. Vote: Rochester yes; Ambry yes. Outcome: forwarded to council for acceptance.
The committee opened a three-minute public-comment period but recorded no speakers. Members thanked staff for their work and adjourned at 5:19 p.m.
