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D.C. Council adopts FY2027 Local Budget Act with targeted restorations and contingency plan
Summary
The Council approved the FY2027 Local Budget Act (Bill 20‑66‑59) on final reading with an amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-substitute and five amendments, restoring or adding funds for workforce investment, elections, school readiness, behavioral health and other priorities; the vote was unanimous.
The Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously on final reading to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026 (Bill 20‑66‑59) as amended. Chair Phil Mendelson moved an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the start of the meeting and incorporated five amendment sheets plus several oral adjustments before the final vote.
Mendelson summarized the changes that were added or increased in the amended budget, including modest increases to the workforce investment account, $2.1 million to the Board of Elections for FY2027 support, restored funds for school readiness and HVAC maintenance, additional dollars for Department of Behavioral Health school‑based mental health, and $2.1 million added to the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund. He also said the amendment funded one FTE for an ombudsperson for children to increase oversight of youth facilities and included contingency allocations tied to future revenue growth.
“We believe in paper...the CFO in his letter suggested that it was imprudent for us to use this budget to use in this budget $150,000,000 in the reserves. It is not imprudent to leave almost 95% of the reserves untouched,” Mendelson said, defending the council’s approach and noting the district’s reserves remain above certification thresholds.
Members from across the council praised the restored investments — citing pay equity, funding for the Special Olympics, school modernizations, youth programs and neighborhood capital projects — and thanked budget staff for revisions made between readings. Several members underscored continued concern about long‑term revenue work and said they expect further hearings on structural revenues this fall.
The Council concluded final reading and the assistant secretary recorded the vote: the ayes carried unanimously.
