Vineyard council accepts tentative FY 2026–27 budget, schedules final adoption for June 23

The Vineyard City Council voted to accept the tentative FY 2026–27 budget after a staff presentation and a public hearing that included several residents asking for more transparent breakdowns of grant and RDA revenues.

Evan, the city budget presenter, walked the council through revenue and expense forecasts, noting that building permit revenue is projected at $750,000 (down from about $900,000 this year) and that the city will spend $500,000 on design for the 1200 North Overpass, a project tied to a previously awarded roughly $10,000,000 state grant. Evan summarized enterprise fund forecasts — water operating revenue about $4,400,000 and wastewater operating revenue about $2,800,000 — and said public safety remains the largest general-fund expense. During the motion to accept, a council member said, “I move to accept the tentative budget as presented.”

Public commenters raised specific concerns that the council asked staff to address in follow-up work sessions. Resident Nathan Still argued the budget’s headline $1,195,000 surplus is offset by a planned $950,000 draw from prior-year fund balance, producing what he called a “true operational surplus” of about $245,000; he urged staff to explain methodology and to publish companion materials showing which capital items are internally funded versus grant- or RDA-funded. Evan and council members agreed to additional briefings before the final vote. The council confirmed plans to finalize the budget at its June meeting on June 23.