Council adopts preliminary general fund budget; several members press for clearer financial reports

The Redding City Council voted to adopt a preliminary general fund and internal service fund budget for fiscal years 2026–27 after a staff presentation and a lengthy council discussion about financial reporting and access to department actuals.

City finance staff, led by Mr. Tippen, presented a carryover budget from the May 6 workshop and summarized the key changes from the draft the council previously reviewed. Tippen said the revised revenue assumptions (lowering revenue growth from 2.55% to 2.0% in the first two budget years) and reductions to police and parks capital spending produced an estimated FY26 surplus of about $1.9 million and roughly $61,000 in FY27. He also warned that four police officer positions currently paid with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds are expected to be fully exhausted by December 2026 and staff recommends removing that ARPA funding from the FY27 base budget.

The budget presentation included the city’s 10-year plan showing cash reserves remaining…