City releases FY2027 proposed budget: $516M citywide; council debates cultural-arts position and fiscal risks

The City of Ventura’s finance team presented the proposed FY2027 operating and capital budget on May 5, outlining $516.2 million in citywide spending driven largely by water and wastewater capital programs and by prior‑year funds carried into CIP projects.

Highlights and structure:
- Citywide proposed budget: $516.2 million, of which $186.6 million (36%) is capital spending and $153 million (30%) is the general fund.
- General‑fund resources are dominated by property tax and sales tax; salaries and benefits are the largest general‑fund expense ($99.7 million proposed).
- Measure O revenue and spending were reviewed; the measure continues to fund streets, public safety and community services.
- Ventura Water budgets reflect a new rate cycle and continued investment in the membrane bioreactor, advanced water purification and outfall projects.

Council response and debate: Several council members and public commenters urged creating a cultural/arts manager position, arguing it could leverage grants and increase downtown economic activity. Others cautioned the city’s five‑year outlook shows tightening fiscal room and urged caution before adding long‑term staff. Finance staff and the city manager explained adding positions would require offsets and that measure‑specific funds and prior‑year resources were already budgeted for multi‑year CIP projects.

Next steps: The council scheduled a May 19 workshop to continue budget review and a charter‑required public hearing and potential adoption on June 9. Staff said they would return with options for offsets if council directs new spending requests (for example, an arts manager or modest program increases).