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Cambria CSD adopts resolution to prioritize general fund for core services, 3–2
Summary
The Cambria Community Services District board adopted Resolution 152026 on April 23, 2026, 3–2, establishing a policy to prioritize General Fund revenues for core health, safety and essential services and to limit nonessential capital spending; opponents criticized 24‑hour notice and argued the resolution is unnecessary.
The Cambria Community Services District board voted 3–2 on April 23 to adopt Resolution 152026, a policy directing staff and future boards to prioritize General Fund revenues for core health, safety and essential services and to limit discretionary nonessential capital expenditures.
Director Gray moved to adopt the resolution and Director Deane seconded. The measure passed with Director Gray, Vice President Deane and Director Scott voting in favor and Director Thomas and President Farmer opposing. Director Gray described the resolution as a “reminder to stay on track” with budgeting priorities; Vice President Deane said it “sets on the record what our discipline is money wise.” President Farmer and Director Thomas said they opposed adoption at a special meeting with roughly 24 hours' notice to the public and questioned whether an existing budget policy already provides the needed guidance.
General Manager McElhaney told the board the resolution was intended as a stopgap to make the district's priorities clear while staff completes multi-year financial planning and budget analyses. McElhaney said the district faces potential structural imbalance driven by near-term capital needs and revenue pressures and that staff wanted a clear public message about spending limits.
The resolution says ‘‘adequately funded’’ requires at minimum that annual operating and maintenance costs for core services are fully funded in the adopted budget, reasonable contingency and emergency reserves meet board-adopted targets, and deferred maintenance and known capital needs for essential facilities and fire life-safety infrastructure are addressed through funded plans. The board may determine whether surplus exists through public meeting and substantial financial analysis presented by staff.
With the vote, the district now has a formal directive to prioritize funding for fire protection, water/wastewater and other core services before pursuing discretionary parks, recreation or open‑space capital projects unless those projects are backed by dedicated revenue.
The board took public comment before the vote and received repeated requests from residents that the item be delayed to allow more public review of the staff report and resolution language.
