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Paradise council reviews $131 million budget that prioritizes recovery, public safety and housing
Summary
Council heard a departmental budget review that frames a $131 million all-funds budget, proposes a conservative revenue outlook, prioritizes police and fire spending, and highlights housing reconstruction and measure V allocations for equipment and services.
The Paradise Town Council received an overview of the town’s FY 2025–26 proposed budget on a presentation that staff said totals about $131,000,000 across all funds and emphasizes conservative revenue projections tied to county property-value estimates.
A staff presenter summarized the town’s approach: budget “for the worst case scenario, and then hope for the best,” noting that positions and contracts are budgeted at full rates to avoid mid-year exposure. The presenter said general fund spending is about $26.5 million and that property taxes are the principal general fund revenue while grants are recorded in other funds.
Measure V, a half-cent temporary tax with an expiration cited as 03/31/2031 in the presentation, is being used to preserve core services including police and fire. Staff said the measure’s budget includes planned allocations such as $333,000 set aside as a placeholder for a fire truck expected in several years and that Measure V revenue is a predictable contributor to operational needs.
On reserves, staff reported general fund reserves (on a book-value basis, including pro funds) of about $195,000,000 and explained that pro fund transfers have been a recurring mechanism to make the general fund whole; staff referenced prior-year transfers of about $11.69 million, an amended figure near $14 million, and a proposed transfer of roughly $15.1 million for 2025–26.
Public safety figures were a recurring focus. Police leadership described a conversion of an officer position to sergeant to support succession planning and said the department will be fully staffed by the end of the fiscal year through a mix of hires and internal promotions. Fire service partners from CAL FIRE noted upgrades to apparatus and communications equipment, discussed the staffing model under the town’s contract and identified ongoing hazardous-fuels treatments in and around Paradise.
“I want to get us on a good sustainable equipment replacement plan,” said Jason Finney of CAL FIRE, outlining multi-year apparatus replacement timelines and saying some engine purchases can take three to four years from order to delivery.
Council members pressed staff for clarity on staff allocation and reporting cadence; staff offered to provide interim general fund reports (quarterly by default unless council requests monthly) that would roll up category-level numbers rather than full account detail.
The presentation closed with a reminder that the FY 2025–26 budget is scheduled for adoption on July 14, and that staff will return with any adjustments ahead of that hearing.
