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Santa Rosa studies FY26–27 budget as staff warn of $13.8M structural shortfall
Summary
City staff told the Santa Rosa City Council during a study session that rising labor and benefit costs have created a structural deficit estimated at roughly $13.8 million, and outlined trade-offs across water, transit, parks, streets and CIP projects if new revenue is not identified.
City staff presented the Santa Rosa City Council with a proposed FY 2026–27 budget and a set of difficult choices on Tuesday, saying long-term increases in payroll and benefits have produced a structural shortfall staff estimated at about $13.8 million that will require either new revenue or service reductions.
The presentation ranged across departments: the water utility reported higher costs tied to Sonoma Water and modest CIP increases, transit staff described short-term reserve needs and a push to replace aging buses with federal low- or zero-emission grants, and the capital improvement program (CIP) team laid out a slate of parks and street projects and options for reallocating quadrant funds.
Why it matters: The council must decide whether to pursue revenue measures, reallocate one-time funds or accept reductions in city programs. Staff warned that personnel and benefit costs comprise roughly 77% of the…
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