Agenda Item #16.1
For Council Meeting of: January 27, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT WAGNER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FINANCE DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 BUDGET PRIORITIES AGENDA ACTION: PUBLIC HEARING
RECOMMENDATION
The Finance Department recommends that the Council hold a public hearing on budget priorities and consider written and oral comments as part of future budget deliberations. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Every year, pursuant to the City Charter, the City Council holds a public hearing to solicit input from the community on priorities to be considered for the upcoming budget. This item complies with that Charter requirement. It also marks the kick-off of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget process. Staff will also present the Long Range Financial Forecast and analyze the status and projected utilization of reserves.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #1 - Achieve and Maintain Budgeting Excellence and Fiscal Stability by ensuring the input of public citizens is considered when developing the annual budget for the City of Santa Rosa.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
The City Charter, Section 28(a), states that “…not later than March 31st of each year and prior to any annual goal setting meeting held by the Council, the Council shall hold a public hearing seeking oral and written comment from the public on budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.” Public input is an important component to the preparation of the budget. This public hearing also provides information to the City Council as it establishes and refines Council Goals.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to the City Charter, a public hearing notice to solicit public input from the public on budget priorities for the next fiscal year was published in the Press Democrat on January 13, 2026, and again on January 21, 2026.
Written comments and suggestions about budget priorities can also be directed to the City Clerk at the following address:
Attn: City Clerk
Santa Rosa City Hall
100 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Finally, the public may provide input about the upcoming budget on the City’s Public Involvement page, located on the website at www.srcity.org/BudgetComments.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the recommended action may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Publication in the Press Democrat as listed above.
ATTACHMENTS
Not applicable.
PRESENTERS
Scott Wagner, Chief Financial Officer
Veronica Conner, Budget and Financial Analysis Manager
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