Fresno council opens FY‑26 budget hearings as staff outline a $528 million general‑fund plan

Fresno City Council on Tuesday opened its FY‑26 budget hearings with city budget staff presenting a proposed general fund that projects $527.7 million in revenue and $512.4 million in operating appropriations.

Assistant Director Edward Shinnevir, who presented the general‑fund overview, told the council the budget relies on sales tax projected at $143.8 million and property tax estimated at $202.6 million; together those two categories make up about two‑thirds of general‑fund revenue. Shinnevir said total operating revenue is expected to grow about 5.5 percent over fiscal year 2025 after accounting for one‑time carryover from the prior year.

The budget presentation explained how FY‑26 balances expected contractions in some revenue with carryover from FY‑25, attrition savings and program adjustments. The administration noted expiration of some one‑time supports — including ARPA and a SAFER grant for firefighters — and anticipated higher personnel costs that together raise personnel spending to about 75 percent of the recommended expenditure budget.

Shinnevir and other city staff repeatedly cautioned the council that sales‑tax projections remain a major source of uncertainty. Council members pressed staff about the sales‑tax consultant HDL’s forecasting accuracy and requested more granular industry breakdowns for recent years. City staff said HDL’s…