Greenfield begins budget season: workshop set for June 5 as staff outline $1 million deficit and department priorities

At its May 27 meeting, the Greenfield City Council reviewed the fiscal year 2025–26 budget calendar and received department‑level presentations from staff across public safety, public works, recreation, finance, planning and other departments.

City Manager Paul Wood and finance staff summarized the budget process and timeline. Staff said an initial draft showed a deficit just over $2 million; after a round of cuts the shortfall was reduced by about $1 million to roughly a $1 million deficit. Paul Wood said staff reduced operating and personnel items to shrink the gap and will bring a departmental line‑by‑line review at a public workshop scheduled for 6 p.m. June 5. The initial presentation of a finalized budget to council is scheduled for June 24 with a possible adoption before the June 30 deadline to begin the new fiscal year on July 1.

Assistant Director Evelyn Mullen (finance) reported two significant finance accomplishments: completion of financial audits for fiscal years 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 with no findings (clean opinions) and on‑time submission of several state reports. She said the finance team plans to seek national recognition for financial reporting and to complete the fiscal 2024‑25 audit by Nov. 30, 2025.

Department heads presented highlights and initiatives:

- Community Engagement: distributed emergency shelter services (286 nights for 33 individuals), helped 11 families with rental/deposit assistance, ran internship programs and will continue grant research and community events.

- Police/Public Safety: Chief Guillermo Mixer said crime has fallen in recent years, with no homicides last year, and described investments in precision policing, partnership reimbursements from federal agencies and new technologies such as a drone and Flock camera system for license‑plate recognition and live alerts.

- Fire: staff emphasized prevention, training and a pending fire‑prevention grant (about $180,000) that would include nearby high‑risk areas.

- Recreation: Jesus Perez described youth and adult program growth, ladies‑only sports programs and plans for expanded youth activities and a donated futsal court at Patriot Park.

- Planning and Economic Development: staff reported issuing 378 ministerial building permits this year, a 32% increase in business licenses over five years and that the city’s cannabis revenues have stabilized at about $2.3 million annually. Staff said building permits with valuation exceeding $176 million in projects were expected to be issued by June.

- Public Works and Utilities: Public Works Director Jamie Tugel and utilities staff discussed pavement and sidewalk projects, the Walnut Avenue pedestrian plan, completed repairs and ongoing procurement. Utilities staff reported work on water well replacement, backflow device replacements and wastewater improvements; they noted planned use of bid management software and ongoing FOG (fats, oils and grease) program enforcement.

Staff stressed constraints on the general fund and said most capital projects next year will rely on grants, Measure X, SB1 or other dedicated funds; the general fund will cover limited capital contributions (generators partly FEMA‑funded). Staff also said citywide personnel vacancies have been reduced significantly from earlier in the year.

Next steps: council will hold the June 5 budget workshop, receive the department‑by‑department review, and consider a proposed budget presentation on June 24 with possible adoption before June 30 so spending can begin July 1.