Piedmont holds first public hearing on FY 2026–27 budget proposing $41.5M in spending

The City of Piedmont held its first public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget on Monday, June 1, as Finance Director presented a draft that shows roughly $41.2 million in revenues and $41.5 million in expenditures.

Finance Director said the budget is “balanced” but highlighted key assumptions and transfers: a $1,000,000 transfer to the facilities maintenance fund, a $750,000 pass-through to the capital improvement fund (an Alameda County grant), and a $400,000 general fund subsidy to the aquatic fund. "The proposed 26–27 budget is balanced with revenues of approximately 41,200,000, and expenditures of approximately 41,500,000," the Finance Director said, adding that after capital transfers the general fund is projected to use roughly $1,000,000 of fund balance and end the year with about $6.8 million (17% of expenditures).

Council members pressed staff on long-range assumptions, including a 10‑year forecast that assumes property-tax growth averages 4.9% and a continuing reliance on property-related revenues (about two‑thirds of the total). The City Administrator and Finance Director said they will revisit the long-term property‑tax assumption next year and highlighted the budget advisory committee’s role in reviewing the numbers.

Council recorded that it had conducted the first public hearing on the proposed budget (a motion was made by Vice Mayor McCarthy and seconded by Council member Long) and moved the item forward for further consideration; there were no public comments on the budget hearing. The council will consider revisions and a final budget in subsequent meetings.