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Waka City Council adopts lean FY2027 budget with amendments to retirement payouts and wastewater funds
Summary
Facing limited flexibility and past liabilities, the Waka City Council approved the FY2027 municipal budget and companion ordinances (including tax, water and user‑fund items) with targeted amendments: a $77,000 retirement payout line and roughly $2.5 million added to regional wastewater renewal/replacement funds. Council described the budget as "very thin."
The Waka City Council on June 1 adopted its FY2027 appropriation ordinances after a lengthy budget presentation and a series of amendments aimed at addressing immediate liabilities and wastewater needs.
The Public Works Director told the council the proposed budget is "very thin" and leaves little contingency for emergency repairs or asset replacement. He told members the wastewater program likely needs additional funding: "we need to take a hard look at increasing the wastewater budget by probably $3 million," he said.
Councilman Canoya offered an amendment to add $77,000 to the personnel retirement leave payout (to reflect planned retirements), offset by a reduction in contingency; that amendment was seconded and approved. Separately, Councilman Canoya proposed and the council approved approximately $2.5 million in amendments to the regional wastewater renewal and replacement fund and related user‑fund line items to address capital needs and to keep pace with negotiations tied to regional partners.
Key votes across the budget package passed unanimously (7–0) as amended, including: 26018 (municipal appropriation), 26019–26023 (tax and system appropriations), 26021 (water system), 26022 (user fees) and related ordinances that adjust capital and regional fund allocations.
Members repeatedly described the budget as constrained by prior liabilities. "There— is over a million dollars in this budget of settlements for the Ponzi scheme that was run by the prior administration," Councilman Canoya said during debate, underscoring fiscal pressures that shaped the council's choices.
The mayor and finance staff participated in debate and answered procedural questions; the mayor thanked staff for intensive work to produce a balanced package under difficult circumstances. Council indicated the passage is the first step and stressed that careful management and potential future operational changes will be required to adhere to the adopted budget.
Next steps: the council adopted companion personnel and salary ordinances and first passages where required; staff will implement the amended budget and report on follow‑up actions, including wastewater planning and cost estimates for capital improvements.
