Second reading and public hearing of an ordinance adopting the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $962,035 (1.64%), and of that amount, $773,890 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll (Presentation made by Finance Director Jonathan Flores)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

The following action items are necessary to proceed with adopting the 2026-2027 budget. This is the second public hearing and adoption of the budget ordinance for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. The ordinance appropriates funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (Exhibit A) and approves the pay schedule for all City employees (Exhibit B). It also determines and approves budget amendment authorizations. The ordinance authorizes the City Manager to apply for, accept, and budget for routine, recurring grants (Exhibit C) and execute any documents related to these grants. The City Manager is also given the authority to execute certain Interlocal Agreements that do not require the expenditure of City funds. The staffing headcount is authorized in sections ten for civil service and eleven for civilians (Exhibit D). The proposed 2026-2027 budget meets all legal requirements.

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 7.0/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).