Ken Vicks critiques city's budget process during public feedback session

The Special City Council meeting for Universal City took place on July 8, 2025, with a primary focus on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. The meeting began with a segment for citizens to voice their concerns, during which Mr. Ken Vicks raised significant issues regarding the city's financial management.

Mr. Vicks highlighted discrepancies in the city's budget over the past eight years, noting that the general fund has consistently exceeded its revenues by approximately $11 million. He pointed out that in six of those years, the excess was over one million dollars, raising concerns about the implications for property owners who may bear the financial burden of these oversights. Vicks urged the council to review the budget process to ensure better fiscal accountability.

Additionally, Vicks addressed the use of city resources at the local golf course, questioning whether the city’s support for the golf course, which included the deployment of city trucks and equipment, was being properly accounted for in the budget. He suggested that if such support requires reimbursement, it should be explicitly included in the budget calculations.

Following the public comments, the meeting transitioned to the main agenda item: the presentation and discussion of the proposed FY 2026 budget. The city manager provided a brief overview of the budget, setting the stage for further discussions among council members.

The meeting concluded with no additional public comments, and the council moved forward with their budget discussions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and fiscal responsibility in the upcoming budgetary decisions.