Council committee hears Dan Eder’s briefing in advance of confirmation vote for city budget director

Dan Eder, Mayor Harrell’s nominee to be director of the City Budget Office, briefed the Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee on June 18 and outlined the city’s fiscal outlook as he seeks confirmation for the permanent director role.

Eder, currently interim director, told the committee he and the City Budget Office helped produce a fully balanced proposed budget for 2025–26 but that subsequent economic developments have reduced revenues and introduced inflationary pressures and possible reductions in federal support. "We are therefore, again, rolling up our sleeves to get back into balance with our budget," Eder said. He told members the city will likely need to consider spending reductions, new progressive revenue options and operational efficiencies.

Jeremy Rocca, chief of staff for the mayor’s office, introduced Eder and highlighted Eder’s prior experience on council central staff and in regional agencies; Rocca said Eder is experienced at communicating complex budget information to elected officials. Members used the briefing to flag information they need before deciding on confirmation.

Council President Nelson asked for documents requested previously, including a slide the council asked for about historic underspends and the top departments with external contracting; Nelson said the material would help the council evaluate carryover legislation and other budget decisions. Eder committed to providing the requested information as soon as possible. "I commit to getting you that information as soon as we possibly can," he said.

Several members emphasized that the budget director occupies a role that serves the executive while the council depends on the City Budget Office’s analysis. Vice Chair Rivera said she would request a one-on-one meeting with Eder to discuss how his office will balance reporting to the executive and supporting the council’s deliberations. Eder offered to meet individually with council members before the committee reconvenes for a fuller confirmation discussion.

No confirmation or action was taken at the June 18 briefing; the committee recorded the appointment packet for the two-meeting rule and scheduled follow-up questions and a fuller discussion at the committee’s July 2 meeting. Committee members said they expected written responses to their questions and additional documentation from the budget office before the confirmation vote.

Eder summarized the short-term options the administration is considering, from spending reductions to pursuing new revenues and efficiency measures, and said he would work with council members as the council deliberates the adopted budget and potential mid-year adjustments. "I don't expect that we'll be able to balance our budget purely through reductions in spending," he said, citing both revenue uncertainty and cost pressures.

The committee concluded the briefing by asking Eder to reach out to council members to schedule one-on-one conversations and to provide the requested data ahead of the July 2 committee meeting, when the council will take up the appointment for a formal vote.