San Leandro unveils FY 2026–27 budget with staff cuts, library hour reductions and possible revenue measure

Nicole Gonzales, San Leandro’s finance director, presented the proposed FY 2026–27 biennial budget to the City Council after a string of public comments about encampments and neighborhood safety. Gonzales said the proposal brings expenses less transfers into alignment with projected revenue for fiscal year 2026 but still projects a use of fund balance for 2027 that falls short of the city’s 20% reserve policy.

The presentation laid out the city’s long‑term forecast and a strategy to address a structural deficit. Gonzales said the city’s fiscal year 2026 revenue projection is roughly $225 million and that the proposed budget relies on reductions across departments — prioritizing elimination of vacant positions and cuts to services and supplies — to limit impacts on currently filled jobs and essential services. She noted a $5,000,000 emergency designation is retained and explained that available funding for economic uncertainties meets the 20% target in FY26 but is projected to be about 15% in FY27.

"We made additional technical reductions in…