Sunnyvale council adopts budget on first reading after tense debate over taxes, public safety and parks

The Sunnyvale Town Council on Monday adopted the town's fiscal 2025–26 budget on first reading and voted to hold the total property tax rate at $0.453 per $100 of assessed valuation after a lengthy public-comment period and extended council debate about public safety pay, parks and a planned animal shelter.

Council approved the budget on its first reading with an amendment adding $172,835 to fund pay adjustments for police, fire and public-works/parks maintenance positions. That additional amount will come from the town’s fund balance, the council said; the vote to advance the budget on first reading passed 4–2.

The move followed more than two hours of public comment in which several residents urged the council to fully fund Jobson Park and to raise salaries to keep police and firefighters competitive. “After multiple years of thoughtful planning, community input and collaboration, you voted just weeks before the May election to approve a long-term parks and sports field master plan,” said Seth Gilbreth, identifying himself as a youth sports coach. “Tonight I urge you: honor the plan. Vote to fully fund the parks and sports fields.”

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