Committee advances budget-process resolution; councilors debate timing and public engagement approach

The Finance Committee on Sept. 8 approved Resolution 2025 (sponsored by Councilor Cassett, Councilor Faulkner, the mayor and the chair) to adopt improvements to the budget process for the FY26–27 annual operating budget, with provisions for finance-committee recommendation and expanded public engagement. Councilors discussed an amendment in progress that would clarify when the finance committee makes a recommendation and would describe the public-engagement component as interactive "community roundtable" sessions rather than traditional town halls. Sponsors said the roundtables should let participants weigh trade-offs—what the city might do more of and what it might do less of—so public feedback is informed by realistic choices, not a long, unprioritized wish list. Senior advisor and public engagement coordinator Rod Gould, deputy city manager Andrea Phillips and Councilor Cassett discussed sequencing: some councilors prefer community engagement before the council sets its goals so public priorities shape the council’s deliberation; others worry that engagement after council goal-setting appears perfunctory. Gould said either sequence can work but recommended designing public sessions that ask participants to think like budget decision-makers and weigh trade-offs. Several councilors urged clear public communication about the sessions’ purpose—whether they are listening sessions or interactive problem-solving workshops. Action and next steps: the finance committee approved the resolution (motion passed). Councilors will continue to refine an amendment detailing the community engagement format and the role/timing of the finance committee’s formal recommendation. Staff and sponsors asked council colleagues to submit wording suggestions in the following days so a polished amendment can be brought back for finalization.