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Moraga GAD board adopts FY 2026–27 budget, keeps assessment below statutory limit
Summary
The Moraga Town Geological Hazard Abatement District board approved Resolution 01‑2026 to adopt the FY 2026–27 budget and update the manager payment limit, keeping the homeowner assessment below its Prop 218 limit thanks to lease revenue from a Verizon cell site.
At a meeting of the Moraga Town Geological Hazard Abatement District (GAD) board, members voted to adopt Resolution 01‑2026, approving the GAD budget for fiscal year 2627 and updating the GAD manager payment limit under the GAD services contract.
The action matters because the GAD’s operating fund and reserves pay for rapid-response and preventive work to reduce landslide and erosion risk in the Bella Vista area; staff emphasized that revenue from a cell‑site lease is allowing the board to levy less than the Prop 218 assessment cap. "The assessment limit with the December CPI is $5,912," staff member Haley told the board, adding that the district has been levying less than that limit in recent years because of lease income.
Haley summarized the proposed budget and fund projections, saying the board was proposing a budget of about $93,550 for the year. Staff estimated a beginning fund balance of roughly $870,000, anticipated combined revenue of about $182,000 (assessments plus lease revenue) and projected an end‑of‑year fund balance near $959,000, with roughly $88,000 allocated to the reserve account in the coming year.
Board members asked for operational clarifications before the vote. Council member Wuliki praised the reserve growth and asked whether the GAD had seen recent soil movement; staff said only the expected wetting‑and‑drying seasonal movement and that no significant, unexpected slope failures had been reported this year. On fire‑safety work, staff said routine weed abatement adjacent to homes and along maintenance roads is complete and that the district trims to the 100‑foot defensible space perimeter where it manages open space.
After discussion, a board member moved to adopt the resolution, a second was made, and the chair announced the motion carried. The resolution applies to the Bella Vista portion of the Moraga GAD.
The board did not set a future change to the assessment limit; staff said any permanent change to assessments would require a Prop 218 process. The board proceeded next to consider the Hetfield Estates plan of control.
