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City leaders present FY26 budget package projecting $725 million in all-funds resources
Summary
Office of Budget and Management Director Ramona Metzger presented a FY26 budget proposal that projects about $725 million in all-funds resources, restores pre‑COVID headcount, relies on conservative revenue assumptions and flags a multi‑year drop in the corporate fund balance tied to grocery tax repeal and pension costs.
City budget officials presented an overview of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on Jan. 14, saying the plan would rely on $725,000,000 in all-funds resources while keeping staffing and costs close to pre‑COVID levels.
The Office of Budget and Management (OBM) director, Ramona Metzger, told the Committee of the Whole that the FY26 package projects user charges (primarily CWLP utilities) to account for roughly 41% of total revenue, with taxes making up about 25%. Metzger said the corporate fund ending balance is projected at about 25.6% for FY26, down from prior years after using ARPA proceeds and deferred expenditures.
Why it matters: City officials said the document is conservative on revenue and relatively aggressive on expense assumptions. Council members pressed department leaders for clarification about the long‑term path of the corporate fund, pension obligations and an impending loss of grocery tax revenue that will affect 2026–2028 balances.
Metzger walked aldermen through several highlights: a projected all‑funds total of $725 million;…
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