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Greenfield Council adopts balanced 2026–27 budget after union warning on pay
Summary
The council approved a balanced FY 2026–27 budget and a separate $98,000 supplemental appropriation to cover year‑end shortfalls after union criticism that the city proposed another year with zero raises and staff warned labor costs are not funded in the base budget.
The Greenfield City Council on a voice vote approved the city—s FY 2026–27 operating and capital budgets and separately authorized a $98,000 supplemental appropriation to cover year‑end shortfalls.
The action follows public testimony from Olivia Martinez, Region 2 director for SEIU Local 521, who told the council the city—s proposal of “zero raises” for a second consecutive year is “an insult to these workers” and urged elected officials to seek a living‑wage increase or other forms of compensation.
City finance staff described the supplemental request as a response to several shortfalls, including a fuel budget reduction that produced a roughly $32,000 gap, a $40,000 increase in county police dispatch charges and about $18,000 in outstanding law‑enforcement invoices. Finance staff said, “what it comes down to is we—re about $98,000 short for the entire fiscal year.” The council approved Resolution 2026‑65 to allow the appropriation after a discussion about taking funds from reserves versus transferring between departmental budgets.
On the larger FY 2026–27 budget, staff presented a balanced plan for general‑fund operations and a capital‑improvement program that totals roughly $33.7 million in projects funded mostly from non‑general‑fund sources. The packet lists a substantial wastewater treatment plant design as a $23.6 million item in the CIP. Staff emphasized there are no new general‑fund personnel requests in the adopted budget but warned that the baseline does not include money to cover potential labor‑agreement increases.
Budget presenters told the council the city is preparing outreach for a 3/4‑cent sales tax measure on the November ballot that would bring an estimated $1.44 million annually if reapproved; staff said passage is central to avoiding potential service cuts if revenues remain flat.
Union leaders and council members flagged the issue of employee pay during deliberations. Council members also asked staff for quarterly revenue and expenditure monitoring to track a tight fiscal year and help avoid future midyear supplemental requests.
The council approved the budget by voice vote (Resolution 2026‑66) and adopted the supplemental appropriation resolution 2026‑65. The meeting record shows no roll‑call tallies for the votes; both motions passed after oral voting.
