11/10/2026 City Council Meeting

At its November 10, 2026 meeting, the San Luis Obispo City Council received the unaudited FY 2025–26 year-end budget report. The city estimated about $11.4 million in unassigned General Fund balance after restoring its operating reserve to the 20% policy target; revenues finished roughly $15 million above budget. By a 5–0 vote, the council appropriated $2 million for El Niño storm preparation and response: approximately $500,000 for protective equipment, supplies, and contract services, and $1.5 million for capital projects and infrastructure work. The council also voted 5–0 to direct staff to return in February with proposed allocations for additional CalPERS payments, legal and insurance needs, and the Infrastructure Investment Fund. A separate motion to earmark $300,000 for advancing a rental registry, with an RFP developed as soon as feasible subject to staffing capacity, passed 3–2. No contracts or vendor awards were approved at this meeting.

Staff reported completion of 15 capital projects, including the Water Resource Recovery Facility upgrade (about $143 million in construction costs), Cultural Arts District parking garage (about $47 million), Mid-Higuera Bypass (about $12 million), and 2025 roadway paving (about $9 million). Public speakers asked the council to consider future support for the Waterman Village affordable-housing and adobe rehabilitation project and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art; the council sought further information and indicated these requests would be revisited after audited year-end figures are available. The council also began discussion of its upcoming two-year financial plan and first four-year strategic plan. A proposed Emerson Park bid authorization and renewal of the existing Phillips 66 franchise agreement were previewed for a later meeting, not acted on here.