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Little Rock proposes $272 million 2026 budget with raises for police and fire, no across-the-board cuts
Summary
City leaders unveiled a proposed 2026 budget that projects roughly $271'$272 million in general fund revenues, includes 5% raises for police and fire, 1.75% raises for nonuniform staff, a 9% rise in health-insurance costs and no citywide cuts; the budget ordinance is scheduled for the Dec. 9 agenda with approval sought by Dec. 16.
City officials presented a proposed 2026 budget to the Little Rock Board of Directors that would keep overall spending level while funding pay increases for city employees and investing in priority projects.
Nick Sarpy, the city CFO, told the board the proposed general fund is projected at roughly $271'$272 million. "Our projection for 2026 is $271,000,000," Sarpy said, and the proposal includes a five-year forecast required by city code.
Why it matters: the plan seeks to avoid layoffs and across-the-board cuts while covering contractual pay increases for police and fire and addressing rising health-insurance costs; board members asked detailed questions about reserves, staffing counts and how near-term decisions…
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