SUBJECT:
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Presentation of the 2026 Proposed Budget
Department
DEPARTMENT: Finance
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Sara Hancock, Finance Director
Cassie Bethune, Budget & Fiscal Manager
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 120 minutes
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For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Annual presentation of the proposed 2026 Budget.
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Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
The budget provides funding for all Town of Erie programs, services, capital projects, and initiatives in 2026.
* The budget reflects revenue in all funds totaling about $144 million, and operating and capital expenditures in all funds totaling about $393 million, offset by debt issuances for major utilities and public facilities projects.
* For the General Fund, the 2026 Budget reflects $8.2 million more in revenue than projected expenditures, including proceeds from issuing Certificates of Participation. As a result, staff projects the General Fund will have $10 million in fund balance that exceeds reserve requirements and can be transferred to the Capital Improvements Fund in 2026 for capital projects.
* Town Charter specifies the Town Manager shall cause a proposed budget to be prepared and submitted to the Town Council annually and be responsible for the administration of the budget after its adoption. Through this agenda item, staff submits the proposed 2026 Budget to the Council and requests Public Hearings on the proposed budget on October 28 (1st hearing) and November 18 (2nd hearing and adoption of final budget).
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On Oct. 21, 2025 staff will provide an overview of the proposed 2026 Budget including Budget Priorities, General Fund Summary, Revenue Projections, Operating Expenditures, Personnel & Position Requests, Department Budget Presentations, and a high-level summary of Capital Expenditures. Then on Oct. 28, the first Public Hearing to solicit public comments on the proposed budget ...
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