Ceres adopts balanced FY2027 budget and temporarily spares recreation coordinator position

The Ceres City Council adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on June 8, approving a structurally balanced general fund after months of cuts and revisions and voting to fund the recreation coordinator position for six months rather than implement a layoff.

Finance staff told the council the original status‑quo general fund budget projected an approximate $5.66 million deficit; after expenditure reductions, operational adjustments and updated revenue projections the general fund is balanced with a projected surplus of about $22,800. The council recorded general fund revenues and expenditures near $27.88 million; citywide revenues were described as about $86.5 million against roughly $110.4 million in expenditures, with the difference mostly tied to one‑time capital projects funded from enterprise and special revenue fund balances.

During the public hearing, Shirley Rogers urged the council to retain the senior‑program planner, saying seniors make up about 17 percent of the city’s population and warning the loss would harm senior services. John Warren urged scrutiny of a nearby off‑city fire station that he said costs the city roughly $1.5 million and receives a high share of calls from outside Ceres. Online commenter Galen Guzman pressed the council on transparency around Measure H oversight and a previously discussed forensic audit.

Council debate focused on personnel tradeoffs. Staff said the open part‑time recreation hire would be extra‑help and estimated part‑time budget authority at roughly $22,000; the full‑time recreation coordinator position under consideration was described as an approximately $91,000 annual cost. Vice Mayor Martinez proposed funding the recreation coordinator for six months while staff develops a plan to operate the community center under the new cuts and provides quarterly financial updates to council. After formal motions and an assurance of quarterly reporting, the council approved the FY2027 budget with that change (motion carried 4–0).

The council separately adopted the FY2027 appropriations limit in a separate roll call vote. Staff said they will post budget documents online and conduct mid‑year reviews; the interim city manager also indicated a mid‑year budget adjustment will be possible if revenues or needs change.

What happens next: staff will return with quarterly financial updates and a mid‑year assessment of whether the six‑month funding for the recreation coordinator can be continued or must be curtailed.