By Susanville Mayor
Mendy Schuster
The Susanville City Council will be discussing the 2025-2026 budget at our next meeting on Wednesday, May 21st.
Development of a city budget takes months of planning including departmental planning, public input, and eventually council approval.
The budget will be presented to council by the Financial Director Chandra Jabbs, who will go over each fund explaining the amount budgeted and a projected amount for expenses.
Once on the agenda for approval, Susanville City Council approves the budget at fund level only. This means council will be asked to review the total budgeted amount, not a line-by-line budget.
Although only a discussion item at this time, once approved by council, staff is in control of their budget.
To explain, if a department needs to make a purchase and if it is within their approved budget, they do not need to bring the item back to council for approval, unless the purchase involves the need for an agreement, all agreements in excess of $25,000 must be approved by council.
It is important to point out that department heads can sign agreements up to $15,000 and city manager up to $25,000.
During the year, a department head may find a need to go over their approved budget. In this case, he/she will come back to council and request an amendment to their budget showing council where the over budgeted amount will come from. They will also explain the reason for the purchase. Council may or may not approve the purchase.
If grants are received, during the fiscal year, council will vote to expand a budget in order to receive the grant.
The City of Susanville runs on a yearly budget between 25 and 30 million dollars. The city generates its revenue from the following: Taxes, Fees and charges, city owned enterprises and state and federal grants.
For more details on the City of Susanville’s budget, come to one of our council meetings when it’s on the agenda and ask questions. Once approved by council, the 2025-2026 budget will be posted on the City of Susanville’s web page at cityofsusanville.gov.
Susanville City Council meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at 66 North Lassen Street in Susanville.
Until next time…
