City Council Meeting - 5/26/2026 - Budget Planning Workshop

The City Council of San Clemente held a budget planning workshop on May 26, 2026, focusing on the fiscal years 2026-28 budget. The meeting included a detailed presentation of the city's financial health, highlighting a positive operating position with surpluses of approximately $471,000 and $500,000 in the two budget years. Key procurement-related discussions involved funding allocations for public safety contracts (fire, sheriff, lifeguards), capital improvement projects (CIP) totaling $41.6 million across 56 projects including sand replenishment, street improvements, and utility upgrades. The council discussed the separation of the capital improvement fund from the general fund to improve financial clarity and considered transfers from unassigned fund balances to support CIP and the Section 115 trust for unfunded liabilities. Staffing changes were proposed, including adding a full-time park ranger and eliminating four vacant positions for cost savings. Lease agreements and property management strategies for city-owned assets were reviewed, with plans to present a comprehensive real estate asset management plan in June. The council also addressed concerns about storm drain fund subsidies, parking challenges related to upcoming Olympics, and the need for emergency power supply improvements. The workshop concluded with plans for a public hearing and budget adoption on June 2, 2026.