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Greenfield outlines FY 2026—27 budget priorities; departments highlight grants, staffing and capital needs
Summary
City staff presented the operations budget and departmental snapshots across public safety, parks and rec, public works, water/wastewater, finance and IT. Presentations stressed grant-supported program growth, equipment replacements, and that internal cost allocations are shifting some expenses into departmental operating lines.
City staff presented a department-by-department overview of the proposed FY 2026—27 operations budget at the May 12 council meeting, highlighting grant-funded program growth, staffing changes, and capital and equipment needs across public safety, parks and recreation, public works, water/wastewater, and finance.
Public safety: Guillermo Mixer, the city's director of public safety, described "precision, evidence-based policing" focused on persons suspected of involvement in crime rather than broad stop-and-question tactics. Mixer said the department is leveraging federal partnerships to offset costs and currently retains some vehicles paid for by federal partners. Mixer also described new technologies in use, including body-worn cameras and license-plate readers, and said the department retains that LPR data for 30 days to balance investigations and privacy concerns. "We dump it. We don't want it after that," he said, adding that technology policies and oversight are in place.
The council probed department personnel and operations lines after staff explained that internal-service costs (IT, HR, risk management) are being allocated to end departments. City staff said those reallocations raise apparent operations costs for departments such as police and fire even when total citywide spending remains roughly stable; vacancies and overtime were cited as the main drivers of personnel cost variance.
Parks and recreation: Jesus Perez, parks and recreation director, said the department continues to expand arts programming and youth sports, and highlighted a pending transportation voucher program to assist seniors and residents with disabilities. Perez confirmed the recreation center funding update (the $6 million grant) and said the department is prioritizing summer programs and efforts to maximize facility use.
Public works, water and wastewater: Manuel Ayala, public works manager, reviewed sidewalk and crosswalk projects, restriping and planned pavement rehabilitation and discussed fleet replacement needs (bucket truck, street sweeper, sewer trailer) and facility maintenance priorities (daycare roof, HVAC). Utility staff reported completing more than 65 water-leak repairs, securing property for a new well at 14th and Cherry, and said the city has a funding agreement with the state to design a new wastewater facility; staff are completing 100% design and expect to seek construction financing in a later phase.
Finance, HR and IT: Finance staff reported improved internal controls, adoption of ACH vendor payments and a completed FY24 audit with a modified opinion and no material weaknesses. HR reported progress on staff training and a reduction in workers' compensation claims; IT said increased operational costs reflect new security cameras and software tools supporting public safety.
Staff reiterated the budget timeline: a public workshop the following Thursday and an initial presentation of the final balanced budget on June 9 with possible adoption, and a secondary presentation on June 23 if needed. Council directed staff to prepare more line-by-line materials for the public workshop and to clarify internal cost allocations so council and residents can see the impacts of reallocated IT and HR charges across departments.
