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Atwater council adopts FY 2026–27 budget and five-year CIP, approves one new police officer funded by Measure B
Summary
Council adopted a FY 2026–27 budget that staff said produces a structural surplus, includes roughly $21.5M in general-fund revenues and investments in a stormwater master plan, Bloss House preservation, a $50,000 community partnerships fund, and one police officer funded by Measure B; vote was unanimous.
The Atwater City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, five‑year capital improvement plan and associated salary schedule on June 8, approving recurring operations and a set of one‑time investments staff said bring the city to structural balance.
City staff described general‑fund revenues of approximately $21.5 million and expenditures of about $21.7 million, with the gap explained by planned one‑time investments. Staff told the council the city now has recurring revenues that exceed recurring expenditures in core funds and that Measure B remains balanced despite planned one‑time public‑safety investments.
Key budget actions approved by the council include adding one new sworn police officer funded through Measure B; establishing a dedicated stormwater division and funding a stormwater master plan; budgeting $75,000 for preservation work at the Bloss House (the transcript references a patio repair and potential longer‑term stabilization work estimated by staff at a higher cost if fully remediated); and creating a $50,000 community partnerships fund to support nonprofits and local programs. Staff also noted operational efficiencies that eliminated two long‑vacant positions (city engineer and HR assistant) and that the city holds strong fund balances (staff cited roughly $17.7 million year‑end in the general fund projection and over $3 million in Measure B funds).
Multiple public commenters urged investment in the Bloss House and local youth programs; council members discussed seeking grants and community fundraising to supplement city funds. Council Member Rochester moved to approve the budget, seconded by Council Member Raymond; the motion passed with all members voting yes.
Council asked staff to return with additional actuarial and amortization schedules for pensions and OPEB and to explore grant opportunities for Bloss House stabilization. The budget takes effect July 1, 2026, with the adopted salary schedule effective June 18, 2026.
