Committee approves FY 2026 budget calendar to begin department planning in July

City manager Gia Scruggs presented the committee with a proposed FY 2026 budget calendar and a schedule of departmental and committee review at the Feb. 19 finance committee meeting.

The calendar as described would begin internal finance work in July — departments would receive budget instructions, worksheets and revenue projections then — with council work sessions and committee reviews during the late summer and fall. Staff described August as the month for departments, finance and HR to meet on departmental requests and for the committee to review five‑year capital recommendations; committee review would continue in September. The proposed schedule calls for the mayor and city manager to present the proposed FY 2026 budget and a required public hearing in October, additional discussion at a November work session and an adoption vote at the November council meeting.

City Manager Gia Scruggs told the committee that staff would “go back and true up the dates” and present a finalized calendar at the March work session. She also said department heads should bring capital improvement project recommendations to the June retreat so council priorities can be incorporated into the FY 2026 schedule.

The committee did not take a formal vote to adopt the calendar at this meeting; staff said they would present a red‑line calendar and recommended dates at the March work session for formal consideration by council.

The city manager and finance director also noted staff would identify funding sources for any new programs requested by council members, and that ARPA funds are exhausted so new local funding would be required for some requests.

Ending: Staff will return with a finalized calendar and supporting materials at the March work session for committee and council consideration.