Springfield council adopts $985.7 million FY26 budget; approves four housekeeping budget orders

The Springfield City Council approved a $985,700,000 fiscal 2026 general fund budget and four related housekeeping budget orders at a special meeting on May 27.

Mayor Sarno presented the budget to the council and described the package as balanced and “built on the city side” with a $71,100,000 stabilization reserve. “We put together a budget, which is $985,700,000,” Mayor Sarno said, noting school operations account for roughly two-thirds of the total and that nondiscretionary fixed costs drive much of the increase.

The council approved the budget in a roll call vote after public presentation and a series of remarks and questions from councilors. Councilors praised the finance team’s outreach and the administration’s efforts to reduce open positions; the mayor and CAFO cited reductions in full-time equivalent positions and targeted cuts. Councilor Whitfield said she would oppose any budget that raised a resident’s tax bill by even $1: “If there is a $1 increase in the tax bill, I cannot go for this budget,” she said.

Nut graf: The FY26 package increases overall city spending from the FY25 adopted level, with the school department driving the largest share of the rise. The council majority voted to adopt the budget as presented while also approving four companion votes that implement transfers and enterprise and revolving fund orders necessary to operate city services in FY26.

Key points and supporting details

- Total and drivers: The mayor said the combined budget is $985.7 million, a rise driven largely by the Springfield School…