Advisory panel approves fund‑balance allocations for turf, buses, auditorium, technology and non‑bond capital

The Budget and Finance Advisory Committee voted to approve a set of fund‑balance allocations discussed in detail line by line, with Robert Jones moving the motion and the motion being seconded and carried by voice vote.

Key allocations the committee agreed to include: a FY26 seed of $75,000 for the turf reserve (with a larger multi‑year target to reach a $1.5 million goal set in 2018), $150,000 for the bus fleet in FY26 and as an ongoing annual target to maintain an aging fleet and permit van purchases, $50,000 for auditorium upgrades and $25,000 for library media for FY26 and ongoing, and a plan to consolidate certain lines for clarity (for example, merging separate CTE lines into a single 'CTE program expansion' bucket).

Committee members also agreed on recurring allocations and targets: a security upgrades bucket with an additional $50,000 in FY26 and $50,000 annually thereafter, technology capital consolidation with added FY26 funding to allow for large refreshes (discussion referenced possible additional allocations up to $100,000), and a proposal to target $250,000 annually for non‑bond related capital improvements (equipment, parking lots, physical plant) while balancing the committee’s 2% fund‑balance policy.

At the end of the agenda the committee approved the set of allocations "superseding any previous allocation recommendations" and directed staff to update the spreadsheet and bring a FY26 year‑to‑date report to the next meeting.

The motion to approve the allocations was moved by Robert Jones, seconded, and carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was taken at the advisory meeting.

Committee members requested that staff provide an updated FY26 year‑to‑date fund‑balance report in advance of the next advisory meeting so members can track the impact of the newly approved allocations.