Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lemoore reviews $86.7 million draft budget; city staff flag possible wastewater rate study
Summary
City staff presented a final draft FY 2026–27 budget proposing $86.7 million in expenditures, $61.0 million in revenues and an increase from 122 to 156.5 city positions; staff warned a wastewater rate study could lead to a fee change after mid-fall.
Lemoore City Council reviewed the final draft of the fiscal year 2026–27 budget at its May 19 meeting, hearing from the city’s budget presenter Valdez on revenues, proposed expenditures and a sizeable capital-improvement program.
Valdez said the proposed budget covers 70 functioning funds with a beginning projected balance of $80.6 million, proposed revenues of $61.0 million and proposed expenditures of $86.7 million. "The City of Lemoore budget is comprised of 70 functioning funds," Valdez said, and she told the council the package includes a modest citywide surplus in some general-fund comparisons while enterprise funds will carry down reserves for major capital work.
Why it matters: The draft sets staffing and capital priorities that would shape city services and public works projects in the coming year. The proposal moves the city from 122 authorized positions to 156.5 — an increase Valdez traced largely to general-fund and enterprise needs — and earmarks funds for several one-time and recurring capital projects.
Key details: Valdez highlighted a slate of capital-improvement projects including a general plan update, council chamber reroof, park ADA and parking improvements tied to an ESG project, annual sidewalk and slurry-seal programs, several traffic-signal projects (Bush at 19th, Liberty at Hanford, Armona Cinnamon at 19th) and sports-complex sidewalk work. In the water fund she cited an ESG-related project budgeted at $6.3 million and a $2.65 million allocation tied to TTHM completion work; wastewater CIPs, Valdez said, include a $7.4 million ESG project, a $1.5 million storm drain basin project and lift-station improvements.
On operations, Valdez said personnel costs account for nearly half of city expenditures. She presented enterprise fund projections showing water and sewer reserves drawn down to pay for the capital work and noted refuse and fleet funds will buy multiple vehicles in FY27.
Public questions and timing: During the presentation a member of the public, Mr. Wong, asked whether wastewater fees will rise. A city staff member said the city is conducting a comprehensive fee study that likely will not be completed until mid-fall and that any rate adjustments could be considered afterward; staff suggested an effective date for a possible change as early as Jan. 1 or later in the year depending on the study timeline.
Public-safety update: Chief Kendall reported operational activity since the new dispatch center went live, saying, "Since the go live date, we handled 2,574 calls for service," including officer responses, fire-related calls and 9-1-1 traffic. The chief said the city is waiting for T-Mobile to route calls to the new center.
Next steps: Council did not take final action on the budget at the May 19 meeting; staff will return with any revisions and the council will consider adoption at a later meeting. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 2.
