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Following the public hearing, the Council will proceed with the reconciliation process, which involves City staff and City Council members proposing potential changes to the proposed FY26 budget. These options are registered in a spreadsheet that calculates impacts on revenues, expenditures, tax rates, and potentially the stormwater fee. Fiscal Year 2026 runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.?

Final reconciliation work is scheduled for the following Wednesday, April 23 although it's possible that an additional work session could be added. The City Council will adopt property tax rates, the stormwater fee rate, and an FY26 budget in the first half of May.

Here’s the published , which was prepared by the City Manager last month. It has seen some changes since last month, which will be reflected in the reconciliation process.?

Much has changed nationally and locally, as well as at the state and county levels, since the Council selected budget priorities for the Manager to pursue back in December. I have been advocating for great fiscal prudence in considering capital projects, hiring, salary increases, hiring of consultants, vehicle purchases, and actions dependent on outside funding sources. I am inclined to believe and take seriously many residents' expressed concerns about their households being squeezed financially, and their desire for clear signals that the City intends to allocate services and spend tax dollars wisely and cautiously, without harming City workers or vulnerable residents.

I very much appreciate the scores of comments I've been receiving with residents' perspectives on the budget. I hope that I am getting a good sample of all residents' views. If you haven't communicated with me, and especially if you have a point of view different from what I've shared above, please send me an email!

Thanks and best regards,

Roger