Avondale staff present draft FY2026 budget with proposed pay increases, new positions and major CIP priorities

City staff presented the draft fiscal year 2026 budget to the Avondale City Council on March 24, 2025, and asked for council feedback before the city manager’s recommended budget is issued in April.

Renee (budget staff) summarized key assumptions: no recession or changes to state-shared revenue in the forecast, a return to normalized contracting sales-tax revenue after recent higher-than-expected years, and an assumed 3% annual inflation factor. The presentation showed a thin structural surplus in FY26–FY27 and described stabilization and capital reserves: a policy reserve equal to 35% of the prior year budget and a separate $5 million capital reserve. Staff noted the forecast excludes any revenues from proposed data-center projects.

Personnel proposals and compensation highlights: staff proposed targeted additions across departments (police, fire, courts, parks, engineering and economic development). HR Director Andy Mosquito recommended these pay changes embedded in the draft budget:

- Police officers and sergeants: a one-step increase…