Bear Valley Community Services District Addresses Budget Shortfall with Proposed Service Reductions

On May 26, 2026, the Bear Valley Community Services District Board of Directors and Finance Committee held a joint meeting to review the proposed 2026/2027 budget.

The upcoming budget presents significant challenges for the CSD. Without significant cuts, the CSD is facing a $1.82 Million budget deficit.

  • Total Revenue: approximately $20.85 million (including $8.17 from reserves for Capitol Projects)
  • Total Expenditures: approximately $22.67 million (including Capitol Project Spending)
  • Projected Deficit: approximately $1.82 million

Before the May 26 meeting, the CSD General Manager worked closely with CSD Department Heads and Managers to identify areas where spending cuts could be made to reduce that deficit. This teamwork resulted in a list of proposed cuts that would reduce spending by $1.34 Million, lowering the projected deficit to $480,000.

Community Impacts

  • The proposed cuts will have a direct impact on the services the CSD provides, including:
  • Reducing the ability to replace road signs and fill potholes.
  • Elimination of Capitol Improvement Projects, except the Bear Valley Road Replacement project.
  • Delays responding to general resident needs at the CSD front desk.
  • Significant delays to work, such as roadside weed abatement, due to the elimination of seasonal workers.
  • Higher long-term costs to the CSD due to deferring or eliminating regular maintenance.

The Board of Directors made two adjustments to the proposed cuts:

  • Remove cuts to the Roads Department’s overtime budget and budget for road striping and stenciling. This change means the CSD will have a budget for after-hours snowplowing in the next fiscal year.
  • Remove the elimination of the Communications Specialist position.

The board also rejected a proposal to freeze hiring for one vacant police officer position at the Bear Valley Police Department.

A full list of the proposed cuts is included below.

Draft budget reductions for FY 2026/27, totaling $534,188, affecting various departments including administration and roads.
Draft budget reductions for 2026/27, focusing on cuts to road, wastewater, and solid waste funds totaling $786,133.

What Comes Next

The Bear Valley CSD has scheduled a public hearing on June 25 for final review and approval of the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Budget.

Community members are encouraged to attend the hearing or review budget materials to better understand the proposed changes and their potential impact on District services.

2026/2027 Draft Budget