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Budget workshop: council weighs placeholder for indoor shooting range as bond polling shows parks and libraries below comfortable pass thresholds
Summary
At the April 28 budget workshop staff presented the FY 2026–27 budget and CIP changes and reported bond survey results showing parks and library measures polling below a reliable majority; council debated listing an indoor shooting range as an outer‑year placeholder to preserve federal partnership opportunities but several members urged caution because funding is not identified.
Staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–27 operating and capital budgets and a 10‑year CIP update at a Glendale City Council workshop on April 28. The presentation included updated state‑shared revenue estimates, proposed CIP carryover and a public survey on potential parks and library bond measures.
Budget director Mr. Hill reviewed the calendar: tentative adoption is scheduled for May 12 and final adoption for June 9. Staff reported an estimated $12.4 million cumulative loss in state‑shared revenue for FY27–30 connected to the Santan Valley incorporation and federal income tax changes, but cautioned estimates will change once updated mid‑decade population counts are finalized.
Ms. Rios presented results from a NewBridge Strategies survey of 400 registered voters about potential bond measures. "Neither of the parks measure hits 50% which would be what you would need to pass the measure," Ms. Rios said, summarizing her team's finding that parks (combined versions) polled about 47% yes and libraries about 45% yes, both short of a comfortable margin for passage and characterized by staff as a "heavy lift."
The budget workshop also added one new CIP item to FY27: a Gripstick Fire Recruit Academy enhancement with a requested FY27 budget of $241,000, to be offset by non‑Gripstick partners.
A contentious exchange focused on a proposed indoor shooting range that staff placed in the draft CIP for FY28 and which some council members want kept as a placeholder so the city can pursue a Department of Defense partnership. Supporters argued that listing the project preserves the opportunity to secure federal participation and reimbursement, while critics said placing a roughly $30 million placeholder in FY28 without identified funding is premature and would compete with already prioritized public safety and bond projects. Mr. Gibson summarized debt capacity under the council's flat‑levy policy, saying the city can issue roughly $50 million in general obligation bonds annually under current practice and that the current CIP is front‑loaded; he urged smoothing and reprioritization so projects are deliverable over time.
Council did not adopt bond language or commit funds during the workshop; several members signaled support for notifying Maricopa County of intent to hold a November 2026 bond election to preserve options, but asked staff to return quickly with refined project lists, funding scenarios, and a discussion of whether the city’s flat‑levy practice should be revisited to increase borrowing capacity.
Next steps: staff will reconvene advisory boards and the bond committee to refine question language and project priorities, provide the requested CIP smoothing and funding analyses, and return to council in May so ballot language can be finalized if council chooses to proceed.
