Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews two-year budget; staff recommends equalized funding for Main Street, Chamber and Wine Country Alliance
Summary
Staff presented a two-year operating and capital budget with a projected general-fund reserve around 32% and a staff recommendation to equalize contributions to three community partners at about $105,667 each; council discussed programmatic expectations and asked staff for clearer communications ahead of final adoption June 16.
City staff presented the draft two-year operating and capital budget for fiscal years 2026'027 and 2027'028 at the June 2 meeting and asked the council for direction ahead of adoption on June 16.
Administrative Services Director Ryan Cornell said staff corrected an earlier personnel allocation error that raised general-fund expenses modestly but reiterated the budget remains balanced with projected reserves of about 32% at year-end. Cornell said the budget includes an assumption that operations for the senior center could be outsourced and is included as a placeholder subject to council approval.
On partner funding, staff noted a proposed equal distribution to three community partners (Wine Country Alliance, Main Street Association and the Chamber) at roughly $105,667 each. The proposed change would shift some funding between organizations; Main Street interim executive director Jeffrey Whisinger told the council his group can absorb an approximately $11,000 reduction but asked for clarity about expectations and programmatic scope going forward.
Council members discussed the merits of the proposed equalization and urged staff to convene the partners for a program-level review so the council and the public can better understand what each organization will be expected to deliver for city funds. Several members said the three organizations operate at different scales (Wine Country Alliance draws countywide membership and broader marketing responsibilities; Main Street is downtown-focused and receives a separate business improvement assessment pass-through) and asked staff to make those distinctions clear in follow-up materials.
Other budget items discussed: a correction moving staff from the supplemental sales tax fund back to the general fund, capital improvement priorities, and the two-year budgeting cadence (staff recommended continuing a two-year budget with longer-range CIP planning).
Next steps: staff will refine the packet for the June 16 meeting and provide clearer program descriptions for partner funding and the senior-center assumption.
Source: Ryan Cornell presentation, public comment from Jeffrey Whisinger and council discussion.
