Council Report

City of Mesa — City Council (2026-06-01)

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City Council Report 
 
Date:  
June 1, 2026 
To:  
 
City Council 
Through: 
Michael Kennington, Deputy City Manager/Chief Financial Officer 
From:  
Brian A. Ritschel, Management and Budget Director 
Subject: 
Adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Budget 
 
The balanced budget continues the City’s commitment to providing quality services to 
residents and businesses in a fiscally responsible manner.  The FY26/27 budget 
represents a significant step toward reaching a structural balance earlier than was 
estimated just one year ago.  While state and federal actions led the City to this 
challenging situation, the City has responded by cutting spending and finding 
efficiencies.  Every decision we have made has been with the interest of our taxpayers 
in mind. 
 
The tentative adoption of the budget approved by City Council on May 18, 2026 set the 
maximum expenditure budget amount for FY26/27. The budget summary has been 
published on the City’s website and in the local paper for two consecutive weeks as 
required by Arizona state statute.  The public hearing will take place before City Council 
consideration of the final adoption of the FY26/27 budget.  Adoption of the annual 
budget requires a two-third (2/3) vote. 
 
As required by Arizona state statutes, the adopted budget consists of summary 
schedules: the estimated resources available to the City during FY26/27 by source and 
by fund, the estimated expenditures (costs) planned by the City by fund and by 
department, and the full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by fund. 
 
The City Manager’s proposed budget was presented through multiple presentations to, 
and discussed with, the City Council beginning 4/2/2026 through 6/1/2026.  Council 
direction and City Manager recommendations were incorporated into the final budget. 
 
Budget modifications can be made throughout the year based on the needs and 
priorities of the City by the City Manager or city manager designee.  These modifications 
include but are not limited to: allocation of grant funds, additions/deletions/changes to 
positions, changes to compensation, and additions/deletions/changes to programs.  
While the process may vary depending on the type of modification, all modifications are

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reviewed for compatibility with City Council priorities and direction, compatibility with 
city management/department goals and objectives, availability of necessary funding, 
impact on financial forecast, and budget authorization capacity. 
 
The City values financial transparency, access to data, and multi-format 
communication.  The following will be available on the City’s website: budget resolution 
and schedules following adoption, additional State required financial schedules within 
7 days of budget adoption, departmental/fund budget detail in the Open Budget 
application after the close of the first month of the fiscal year, and the Executive Budget 
Plan document within 90 days of budget adoption.