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Santa Rosa council hears $17.5 million general-fund shortfall, staff recommends two-year strategy and CalPERS options
Summary
City staff told the council the FY 2026–27 proposed budget shows a roughly $17.5 million structural gap, driven by expiring external funds and rising salary/benefit costs; staff proposed a two-year approach that uses targeted reductions, strategic reserve use and pursuing one of three CalPERS interventions.
City of Santa Rosa staff told the City Council on April 21 that the proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget shows a structural general fund shortfall of about $17.5 million and outlined a two-year strategy intended to avoid abrupt service cuts.
The presentation, led by Verónica from the finance team, said the gap reflects expiring outside funding and rising personnel costs. “The reality is that we have not yet felt the full effect of revenue declines on our budget,” Verónica said, summarizing projections that show reserves falling below the council’s mandated level if no action is taken. Staff emphasized property tax is holding up while sales-tax revenues remain volatile.
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