Ventura LAFCO unveils proposed $1.19 million FY 2026–27 budget and directs stipend review

LAFCO Executive Officer Mr. Lamont presented the commission’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27 on April 15, recommending a total expenditure plan of $1,192,465, an increase of about 4.9% from the current adopted budget.

Lamont told commissioners the proposed increase reflects higher salary and benefit costs, anticipated cash‑outs for management staff, and the need to budget a previously unanticipated recurring cost: a legacy health reimbursement arrangement that created an approximately $5,550 ongoing expense. "We only found out about it about two weeks ago... so that'll be talked about in the proposed budget," Mr. Lamont explained.

Why it matters: the proposed budget funds LAFCO operations while drawing $75,000 from the commission’s fund balance to moderate the share requested from funding agencies. Lamont said the commission would maintain a litigation reserve and a 60‑day working capital policy while gradually drawing down unassigned fund balance.

Commission discussion focused on specific revenue lines, reserve policy and whether commissioner stipends merit review. One commissioner asked about a revenue line for Oxnard Irrigation District No. 1 and whether a dormant district would affect LAFCO revenues. Mr. Lamont said the numbers were based on state reports for FY 2023–24 and acknowledged some districts show no current staff or board; in one case the outstanding amount was only a few dollars and collection methods were uncertain.

Several commissioners pressed staff to provide a comparative analysis of stipends paid to local boards, commissions and other LAFCOs. The commission asked staff to prepare a memo comparing local commissions and LAFCOs and to return with that analysis as a possible future agenda item.

Outcome: a motion to approve the proposed FY 2026–27 budget carried. The commission will consider a final budget at its May meeting; staff warned that a small transfer from contingencies may still be needed to cover the new recurring benefit cost.

Budget highlights reported by staff:

- Proposed total expenditures: $1,192,465 (approx. +4.9%).
- Proposed use of fund balance: $75,000 to fund next fiscal year.
- Projected year‑end fund balance (current year): about $105,926.
- New recurring cost to budget: legacy health reimbursement (approx. $5,550 per year).