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Calistoga council adopts balanced FY 2026–27 budget, will add three full‑time firefighters
Summary
The council adopted the FY 2026–27 budget on June 3, including hiring three full‑time firefighters, a roughly $2.7 million CIP (largely funded by restricted sources), a $77,000 pool improvement line, and maintaining a 50% general‑fund reserve; the measure passed by roll call vote.
The Calistoga City Council on June 3 adopted a balanced fiscal year 2026–27 budget after a presentation by Finance Director Connie Cardenas. The budget preserves a 50% general‑fund reserve, carries a modest projected surplus of about $2,500, and funds several capital projects while adding three full‑time firefighter positions.
Cadenas told the council the budget reflects several years of shifting revenue and expense trends and noted the city will spend roughly $2.7 million on capital improvement projects next year, more than $2 million of which will come from restricted sources such as gas taxes, Measure U, SB1/RMRA and other impact fees. She highlighted $77,000 slated for pool improvements and explained $200,000 in electric‑vehicle‑charging funds are a carryover from the previous year.
On personnel, the budget includes three new full‑time firefighters; Cardenas and risk management staff warned that adding safety staff increases workers’ compensation and liability costs. Cardenas said staff worked to identify savings (reducing overtime and part‑time hours) to help balance the budget.
The council asked for clarification on the vehicle license fee (VLF) and the city’s loan repayment schedule; Cardenas said the county allowed the city to retain VLF revenue for several more years, and staff expects to know in two to three months whether a prior internal loan for a fire engine will be repaid to the general fund.
Charlotte Williams and other public commenters asked about reserve levels and long‑term fiscal resilience; Cardenas and the city manager described the 50% reserve as a deliberate policy choice intended to help the small, tourism‑dependent city withstand revenue shocks.
Council member Lopez Ortega moved to adopt the budget; the motion passed on a roll call vote with all council members voting aye.
Next steps: Staff will monitor the budget through the midyear process and return to council if additional funding or savings opportunities arise.
