Committee recommends 2027 operating budget, CIP and maintenance program to council

City staff reviewed the City Manager’s recommended 2027 budget and supporting sections of the budget book, explaining the composition of the general fund and special funds and highlighting key figures: total all‑funds $515,870,000; general fund $356,400,000 (a 0.6% increase from 2026); sales tax projected at $111,200,000; and a citywide operating increase driven largely by personnel costs.

Staff also described special funds and program allocations: an opioid settlement fund budget just under $1.9 million (with ~ $150,000 proposed for United Community Services), a special alcohol control fund (~$5.8 million) with $1.3 million for the Drug and Alcoholism Council, bond and interest fund revenue of about $21 million, and transient guest tax (TGT) funds projected at ~$12.8 million in 2027. On the expense side staff noted a total operating budget increase of 6.5%, and committee members pressed for detail on IT growth, consolidation of software maintenance into IT, and the city's approach to long‑term software and cybersecurity costs. One staff speaker summarized the IT policy: “We did that precisely because IT has the best ability to negotiate contracts.”

After discussion the committee moved and voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend the proposed 2027 operating budget, the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program and the maintenance program to the full city council.