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Palo Alto gets first look at FY2027 budget as council debates cuts to crossing guards and quiet-zone timing
Summary
City staff presented a proposed FY2027 operating and capital budget with a roughly $17.1 million general-fund gap; the plan relies on $6.8M in reductions, 22.25 net position reductions and $1.7M in revenue changes while drawing public pushback over proposed cuts to crossing guards and the pace of quiet-zone work.
The Palo Alto City Council on May 4 received its first public review of the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budgets, which city staff said balance across funds but leave a projected $17.1 million shortfall in the general fund that must be addressed through a mix of spending reductions, modest revenue changes and one-time funding.
Chief Financial Officer Lauren Lai told the council the city's consolidated budget is about $1.05 billion, with a general fund near $311 million and a capital program of roughly $313.6 million. Lai said staff are proposing about $6.8 million in expenditure reductions, a net elimination of 22.25 full-time positions citywide, and roughly $1.7 million of revenue enhancements to close most of the gap while using about $2.6…
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