Residents and students urge Pleasanton to spare library hours as council trims budget

The Pleasanton City Council continued its budget discussions through the evening of May 20, receiving public comment from scores of residents and students urging the council to reverse proposed cuts to library hours and other community services.

Finance Director Susan Shea presented a two‑year operating and capital framework that relies on modest revenue growth, $7 million in annual operational reductions, and “one‑time” uses of reserves to balance the general fund for fiscal years 2026–27. The proposal included reductions to library hours and other service adjustments to help close an identified structural budget gap. City staff emphasized the budget presented on May 20 was not the final adoption: the council is scheduled to hear a final budget on June 17.

During a public comment period that lasted more than an hour, dozens of speakers urged the council to keep the Pleasanton Public Library open seven days a week and to maintain evening hours that students and working families rely on. Students described the library as “a quiet environment” essential for after‑school study or late‑evening exam preparation; one student, Avika Nambalkar, said, “For kids like me, it's just we all we all should be able to learn something new” during weekend hours. Several speakers cited petitions and attendance numbers: one speaker said volunteers had gathered more than 1,600 petition signatures in favor of preserving library hours.

Council members acknowledged the strength of public sentiment but also described hard fiscal choices. Mayor Karla Balch and Councilmember Stephen Eicher (spelling as in transcript) emphasized the city must address a long‑term pension obligation that has grown materially in recent years. City staff outlined options for shaving operating costs and using limited one‑time funds — including transfers from a capital reserve and draws from a Section 115 pension trust — while warning those approaches are not sustainable indefinitely.

During council deliberations the council provided staff direction on a small number of technical budget items: staff was asked to reduce the planned two‑year withdrawal from the Section 115 pension trust by $1,000,000 (from $4,000,000 to $3,000,000 total across two years) so more principal remains invested, and to present options refining library hours rather than immediately closing Sunday service. Councilmembers suggested weekday evening hours could be shifted to preserve Sunday or other high‑use times; staff said they would model schedules and cost impacts and return to the council prior to final budget adoption.

The proposed capital program and “deferred maintenance” set‑aside also drew scrutiny. Staff described a five‑year capital improvement program that begins a multi‑year effort to address roads, water and sewer infrastructure, and building systems; the council discussed whether to hold some funds in liquid reserves until an asset management plan is completed later in the year. Residents including long‑time community volunteers urged preservation of parks, the senior center, and the Firehouse Arts Center alongside the library.

City staff said the budget for final adoption will reflect council direction and additional technical adjustments; staff reiterated the final proposed operating and capital budgets will be scheduled for public hearing and adoption June 17.