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Mountain View adopts structurally balanced FY 2026–27 budget, eyes November revenue measure
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a structurally balanced FY 2026–27 budget that funds core services and targeted initiatives while signaling consideration of a local revenue measure in November to pay for additional infrastructure and priorities.
The Mountain View City Council unanimously adopted the city’s FY 2026–27 recommended budget on June 9, approving a package staff described as structurally balanced and focused on core services, infrastructure, and targeted growth.
City Manager McCarthy and Finance and Administrative Services Director Derek Rampone presented the $520 million in recommended revenues and approximately $598 million in citywide expenditures, explaining the gap reflects use of accumulated fund balances to finance capital projects and affordable‑housing loans. Rampone said the general operating fund totals about $217.7 million and public safety accounts for roughly 46% of general fund spending.
The budget cushions long‑term liabilities while adding limited ongoing positions in legal services, planning, transportation and public safety, and proposes $7.9 million in limited‑period (one‑time) investments for recruitments, firefighter academy support, consulting services and elections. The recommended package also includes a $500,000 increase to the heat‑pump water‑heater rebate program, bringing that program’s cap to $1 million and enabling roughly 250 additional heat pumps to be installed, Mayor Ramos and staff said.
City Manager McCarthy told the council that revenues are stable but not expanding as rapidly as in prior years and that the council will revisit whether to place a revenue measure on the November 2026 ballot to fund infrastructure, parks, affordable housing and other priorities. Rampone said Measure G continues to provide dedicated funding (projected at more than $5 million this fiscal year) for public safety, parks and housing, and staff will return June 23 with any updates and the capital improvement program for final adoption.
Council members sought clarifications on metrics and program details. Fire Chief Brian Jones answered questions about response‑time measures, saying staff will provide both averages and medians in future reporting; Library Director Tracy Gray reported that the recently installed nursing pod logged ~140 uses in six months and estimated similar installations would cost roughly $30,000–$60,000.
During deliberations Council Member Ramirez moved to approve staff recommendations while adding a modest discretionary increase (staff‑to‑advise, $5,000–$10,000) to multicultural engagement programming for alumni mixers and community events; Council Member Shoalter seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call. The council will consider final adoption and any updates to the capital improvement program at its June 23 meeting.
Vote: Yes — Mayor Emily Anne Ramos; Vice Mayor Clark; Council Members Hicks, Kame, Mallister, Ramirez, Shoalter; no abstentions.
What’s next: staff will return June 23 with any adjustments, the capital improvement program, and fee and rate updates. The council will also discuss the possible November revenue measure in that meeting.
