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Los Olivos board tweaks finance committee, reviews FY25‑26 budget plans and timelines
Summary
Directors appointed Director Nelson to the finance committee, received a draft FY25‑26 budget that relies on carry‑forward funds and proposed professional services for 80% design and environmental work, and discussed reserving funds for studies while pursuing grants.
At the April 9 meeting the board made a personnel adjustment to standing committees and reviewed a draft fiscal-year 2025‑26 budget that sets priorities for the next phase of wastewater planning.
Committee change: the board voted unanimously to add Director Nelson to the finance committee in place of Director Parks. The motion passed on a roll‑call 'Aye' vote with all present directors supporting the change.
Budget preview: General Manager Guy Savage presented a preliminary budget that assumes about $310,000 in carry-forward funds and includes proposed professional services allocations: roughly $300,000 to advance design from 30% to 80%, and about $125,000 for environmental review (staff noted environmental costs would likely be lower if the district connects to Solvang rather than building a new plant). The draft also includes a modest reserve (about $60,000) and line items for outreach mailings and continuing technical studies.
Directors debated whether to include continued groundwater well testing in next year's program. Some directors said the county or regional board should absorb monitoring costs; others argued leaving the line-item in the draft budget preserves flexibility but can be reallocated if grant funds materialize.
Why it matters: the budget sets the district's near-term ability to move to 80% design, complete environmental work and prepare a project description required for grants and potential Proposition 218 assessment ballots.
