Buckeye presents $552.7 million FY‑26 recommended budget; council to consider tentative adoption May 20

The city manager’s FY‑26 recommended budget of $552,700,000 was presented to the Buckeye City Council on the workshop agenda, with staff outlining revenue sources, spending priorities, and a proposed five‑year capital improvement plan.

The budget matters because it funds ongoing services, new positions and one‑time capital projects; staff said the plan relies on continued retail and construction sales‑tax growth and includes a $75 million geobond tranche planned for streets and public safety projects.

Budget Manager Greg Litchi summarized the proposal: “Today, we're here to review the city manager's FY 26 recommended budget at $552,700,000.” He told council that the package combines ongoing operations with a large capital program and that the $552.7 million figure represents new FY‑26 funding and does not include FY‑25 carryovers that will be added at the tentative budget.

Staff showed the revenue mix and major spending categories. Transaction privilege tax (TPT) was presented as the largest revenue source at about $101.7 million, followed by enterprise utility fees (about $75 million) and intergovernmental revenues (about $69…