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Glendale Water & Power retreats to staffing, AMI and capital choices in $482.6 million proposed budget
Summary
Glendale Water and Power presented a proposed $482.6 million budget for FY 2026–27, with 336 budgeted FTEs (about 68 vacancies reported), a frontloaded water AMI meter-replacement project (~$26 million total, with ~$11.4m carryover) and a planned 10% general-fund transfer (~$31.6 million). Commissioners pressed on vacancies, hiring timelines and the purchase of a Fairmont building for storage/office use.
Adrenan, the assistant general manager overseeing finance and risk, presented Glendale Water and Power’s proposed FY 2026–27 budget on June 1, describing a $482.6 million program that the department says is $12.1 million (2.6%) higher than the adopted 2025–26 baseline.
“The total proposed budget for 26–27 for Glendale Water and Power is 482.6 million,” Adrenan told the commission.
Key details in the presentation included 336 full-time equivalent positions budgeted (an increase of 1.4 FTEs over the prior year) and roughly 68 vacancies reported in discussion—about a 20% vacancy rate on budgeted positions that staff said they are actively recruiting to fill. Staff said typical time-to-fill varies by classification but can be three to six months.
The budget also includes a frontloaded water Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) replacement project. Staff described the AMI program as an accelerated replacement to complete meter swaps by the end of the next fiscal year and said the water depreciation fund request reflects that frontloading; the total AMI project was described as roughly $26 million with $11.4 million in existing carryover.
Other fund-level notes: the Electric Public Benefits Fund (fund 2910) was shown up about $2.3 million, the electric depreciation fund is down about $9.3 million from the prior year because of timing of project appropriations, and bond principal increases were reflected in the electric revenue fund. The proposed budget anticipates a 10% transfer to the general fund (about $31.6 million).
Commissioners pressed for clarity on the vacancy count, recruiting efforts, apprenticeship programs and retirements that drive hiring pressure. Staff described active apprenticeship efforts and organizational restructuring intended to align positions with priorities. Commissioners also asked about purchasing an existing Fairmont building for warehouse and transitional office uses; staff said the asset transfer follows accounting rules and will be booked as a city-to-utility transfer.
Adrenan said staff would provide a more granular vacancy report and additional follow-up on recruitment and capital timelines as requested.
