Wrightwood CSD sees narrower FY 2026‑27 shortfall; board sets timeline for budget hearing

Interim staff presented a redraft of the Wrightwood Community Services District’s proposed fiscal year 2026‑27 budget on June 2 and outlined steps to meet California notice and adoption deadlines.

Staff reported they had corrected revenue coding issues that had caused franchise‑fee amounts to be misallocated, applied small CPI‑based increases to expected franchise revenue, and identified reconciliation items requiring follow‑up with the county and the district’s accountant. Those adjustments reduced the previously projected deficit from about $80,000 to roughly $6,000 in the draft, though a few items (audit invoices, unemployment reconciliations and professional services) still need final confirmation.

Legal counsel reviewed statutory timing: districts must publish notice of a proposed final budget by July 1, adopt an appropriations limit by June 30, and adopt a final budget by Sept. 1. The board directed staff to prepare the appropriations‑limit materials for the June 16 meeting and to tentatively schedule the public hearing on the budget and the statutorily required hearing on job vacancies and recruitment for July 21 so the legal notice can run twice before the hearing.

Board discussion emphasized that payroll, professional services and board stipends are the largest expense drivers. Staff said they would produce a third draft of the budget after reconciling franchise fees with the county and clarifying expected unemployment and audit costs.