TO: Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM: Jaime Boscarino, Finance Director
DATE: October 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Fiscal Years 2027-28 & 2028-29 Budget Calendar RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve budget calendar establishing study sessions and public hearing dates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-28 & FY 2028-29 Operating Budget, Capital Improvement Program Budget, and User Fees.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. The biennial budget process requires significant staff time and effort, which is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
On June 10, 2025, City Council adopted the Operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for FY 2025-26 & FY 2026-27. The City uses a biennial budget process covering two fiscal years, with each fiscal year running from July 1 through June 30. The City is currently in the second year of the adopted biennial budget.
Staff are beginning development of the FY 2027-28 & FY 2028-29 biennial Operating and CIP Budgets. As part of the budget process, staff will also review and update Citywide User Fees for City Council consideration. The proposed Budget Calendar establishes the anticipated schedule for City Council study sessions and public hearings, committee and commission review, community engagement, and other key milestones leading to adoption.
Fiscal Years 2027-28 & 2028-29 Budget Calendar
October 13, 2026
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City’s budget development process spans approximately nine months and requires coordinated participation from all City departments to develop the Operating Budget, CIP Budget, and User Fees updates.
The Budget Calendar provides the community with advance notice of opportunities to participate in the budget process and provides a framework for coordinating City Council, Planning Commission, committee, and departmental activities. Staff have prepared the FY 2027-28 & FY 2028-29 Budget Calendar for public reference and staff use. A separate, detailed calendar containing internal budget development deadlines will be distributed to departmental budget contacts.
The proposed Budget Calendar is as follows:
FY 2027-28 & FY 2028-29 Budget Calendar
Date Responsible Party Event
10/13/2026 City Council Approve FY 2027-28 & FY 2028-29 Budget Calendar
Oct. 2026
thru
Feb. 2027
Community Engagement
Team
Develop community education and
engagement strategy for the City’s
budget process
Jan. 2027 Finance Audit Committee FY 2025-26 Financial Audit Results Mar. 2027 Finance Audit Committee Review Proposed User Fees 3/23/2027 City Council User Fees Study Session
Mar./Apr.
2027 City Council City Council Goal Setting Meeting
Apr. 2027 Capital Facilities
Committee Review Proposed CIP Budget
4/12/2027 Planning Commission Review Proposed CIP Budget for General Plan Consistency
4/13/2027 City Council CIP Budget Study Session
4/27/2027 City Council User Fees Public Hearing
May 2027 Finance Audit Committee Review Proposed Operating Budget 5/11/2027 City Council Operating Budget Study Session
6/8/2027 City Council Operating and CIP Budgets Public
Hearing and Adoption
6/22/2027 City Council Adopt Gann Limit (Consent Item)
Fiscal Years 2027-28 & 2028-29 Budget Calendar
October 13, 2026
Date Responsible Party Event
7/1/2027 Citywide FY 2027-28 begins; adopted Budget
and User Fees become effective
Community Outreach: Staff are developing an outreach campaign to inform the community about the budget process and provide opportunities for public input on budget priorities. Outreach efforts will begin in Winter 2027 and will include opportunities for in-person engagement at community events, regular updates through the City’s social media channels, and a dedicated budget website. The website will explain the budget process and City revenue sources, provide opportunities for community feedback, identify upcoming opportunities to participate, and include contact information for Finance staff. The City’s website also provides translation functionality to improve access to budget information for the broader community. Community members interested in following the budget process will be encouraged to visit the budget website and follow the City’s social media channels for updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to provide input.
The proposed Budget Calendar establishes a general framework for the FY 2027- 28 & FY 2028-29 budget process. Meeting dates and other activities may be adjusted as the budget process progresses, and additional scheduling information becomes available.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
PREPARED BY: Tara Tosatto, Budget Officer
Miguel Chavez, Sr. Financial Analyst
FIN:330-10\tt\H:\COMMON\Council\2026\Administration\101326 Budget Calendar Staff Report