Subject
title
FY 2028 Budget Priorities Discussion
end
Department
Finance
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council use this worksession to reaffirm the key initiatives previously established, identify any areas of emphasis, and provide any additional direction that may be needed.
Discussion
The FY 2028 budget development process builds upon the strategic foundation established by the Mayor and Council through their Guiding Principles which were adopted in May 2024. These principles-emphasizing effective and efficient service delivery; stewardship of the environment and infrastructure; public safety; housing; and economic development-serve as the overarching framework for evaluating all budget proposals. In accordance with GFOA best practices, the budget document aligns these long-term strategic principles with short-term objectives, departmental work plans, and performance measures to ensure that resource decisions are transparent, measurable, and directly connected to the City’s strategic vision.
Public engagement activities further inform this framework. The City received 25 Propose-a-Project submissions, which largely focus on parks and recreation opportunities, safer pedestrian connections, and improvements to existing parks and facilities. A full listing of the Propose-a-Project submissions is included with the Budget Public Hearing materials. In addition, 395 community members responded to the FY 2028 Community Budget Priorities Survey. A comprehensive report of survey data is included with the Budget Public Hearing materials. Looking ahead, community members may participate at upcoming budget hearings scheduled for March and April 2027 and may also submit written testimony at any time during the public comment period.
Staff will be incorporating 106 Key Initiatives (Attachment 2) that were reviewed by the Mayor and Council during the October 27, 2026 Retreat into the internal planning framework for the FY 2028 budget. These key initiatives represent a comprehensive set of priorities for the coming years. When considered alongside the Guiding Principles and public input, these initiatives provide clear and substantive direction for the development of the FY 2028 Proposed Budget. As part of this worksession, staff request that the Mayor and Council discuss areas of emphasis, sequencing, or strategic alignment as internal efforts to develop the Proposed Budget continue.
The materials attached to this report-including the presentation (Attachment 1) and the Key Initiatives listing (Attachment 2)-are intended to help inform and facilitate this discussion.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council participated in a Retreat on October 27, 2026 which included the review and refinement of the FY 2027 - FY 2028 Key Initiatives listing. The first public hearing related to the FY 2028 budget is being held on November 9, 2026, alongside this priorities discussion.
Public Notification and Engagement
Additional public hearings related to the FY 2028 budget will be held in March and April 2027. In addition to these public hearings, the public can submit written comments directly to the Mayor and Council via the City Clerk/Director of Council Operations.
The FY 2028 budget public record is scheduled to close in April 2027.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item; however, the FY 2028 Operating Budget and CIP will establish the annual City budget and the programs that the City will fund starting on July 1, 2027.
Next Steps
|
Date |
Action Item |
|
March 8, 2027 |
Budget Introduction |
|
March 22, 2027 |
Budget Worksession #1 - Operating Revenues and Expenditures Budget Public Hearing #2 |
|
April 12, 2027 |
Budget Worksession #2 -Grant Expenditures Budget Public Hearing #3 |
|
April 19, 2027 |
Budget Worksession #3 - CIP and Final Balancing |
|
May 3, 2027 |
Budget Adoption |