Danville City Commission previews FY27 draft operating budget; staff projects a narrow surplus

City finance staff presented the City Commission with a draft FY27 operating budget on March 31, saying the proposal is a baseline for personnel and operating costs and does not include capital or community/shared agency allocations. Lee, the presenting finance staff member, told commissioners the draft projects $24,594,970 in operating revenues and $24,387,542 in operating expenses, producing a narrow operating surplus of $27,376.

Lee said the revenue projection reflects mixed trends: occupational and payroll taxes are growing modestly, insurance premiums are rising, and license‑and‑fee receipts include a roughly $300,000 decline in net‑profit collections compared with prior years. She urged commissioners to review the detailed spreadsheets (blue column = proposed budget; other columns = projected year‑end and prior actuals) and noted the office revises revenue and expense estimates as collection data arrive.

Staff emphasized the draft assumes no net addition of full‑time positions beyond previously authorized step and cost‑of‑living adjustments, and that health‑insurance renewal increases are included. Lee said the next steps are the community‑agency presentations scheduled for Thursday, April 2 at 8 a.m., followed by a capital‑project review on April 14, when commissioners will consider transfers and capital priorities.

The presentation highlighted funds that will be discussed later in the cycle: municipal aid allocations tied to the Bofman Avenue project, an opioid abatement fund with roughly $300,000 in cash on hand and constrained eligible uses, and enterprise funds where specific utility and stormwater projects may carry grant or loan funding.

Votes at a glance: After a brief executive session for personnel, the commission voted to hire Cresa Belchure as an accountant. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: Community and shared agencies will present requests at the April 2 meeting; capital requests and economic‑development directions will be discussed at the April 14 session. Staff said it will continue to update revenue projections as March collections and other data are finalized.