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Woodland previews $252.8M budget, council directs staff to bring 1¢ sales‑tax language for November
Summary
City staff presented a $252.8 million preliminary FY2027 budget and a five‑year forecast showing a $3.5M structural deficit for FY27; council directed staff to return June 16 with final ballot language for a proposed 1¢ sales‑tax measure estimated to raise about $16M annually.
City officials presented the Woodland City Council with a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget June 6 that proposes $252.8 million in all funds and flags a multi‑year structural shortfall that could require new revenue or service reductions.
The nut graf: After a detailed review of revenues, spending requests and proposed savings, the council directed staff to return on June 16 with final language to place a general 1¢ sales‑tax measure on the November ballot to help address an estimated $3.5 million shortfall next year and a growing deficit thereafter.
City Manager Ken and finance staff said the proposed all‑funds budget totals $252.8 million, with $77 million in the general fund and a $29.76 million capital improvement program. Staff recommended about $9.07 million in one‑time funding and $269,000 in ongoing augmentations while identifying $6.9 million in unfunded requests.
Ken summarized the proposed balancing measures used to reach roughly $1.415 million in ongoing savings: freezing several vacant positions, reducing select contracts and scaling back the city's OPEB contribution from $600,000 to $300,000 next year. Staff also proposed a 10% reduction in irrigation costs in parks and landscaping.
Finance Manager Carrie Farnham and Administrative Services Director Kim McKinney emphasized the fiscal outlook: staff projected a $3.5 million general‑fund deficit at the end of FY27 and warned that, without new revenue or significant additional cuts, reserve balances could fall below policy levels in subsequent years. Farnham listed ongoing requests totaling about $2.8 million and a pool of unfunded items totaling about $6.9 million across departments.
On the revenue side, the city manager presented draft ballot language for a general 1¢ sales tax that would be added to the existing local rate and described the measure as a general tax to be used for general government services; if approved staff estimated it would raise about $16 million annually. The draft would have the new 1¢ continue until voters decided otherwise and staff proposed consolidating the item on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
Council members asked for additional detail on public safety staffing asks, the solar array buyout analysis and outreach plans. Ken said staff will return June 16 with final language and election actions for consolidation. Several council members urged robust public engagement before placing the measure on the ballot; others said the city operates "lean" and emphasized the choice between significant service reductions and new revenue.
The council did not vote on placing the measure; it gave unanimous direction for staff to prepare final ballot language and election materials to be considered at the June 16 meeting.
