Brentwood approves $109.9 million FY2027 appropriation ordinance on first reading

The Brentwood Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on first reading to approve Ordinance 2026-2, the city’s appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

City Manager Jason Gage presented the budget to the commission, calling total budgeted expenditures $109,882,982 and saying the figure is about $11.5 million lower than the current year due chiefly to capital timing. "The total number for the 2027 budgeted expenditures is, dollars 109,882,982," Gage said.

Gage said the general fund’s total revenues are budgeted at about $59,422,000 (an increase of roughly 3.7 percent) and noted a conservative revenue posture because of online sales‑tax changes. He told commissioners the budget recommends a 4 percent across‑the‑board salary adjustment and a $980,000 salary reserve intended to allow competitive pay adjustments—particularly for police and fire staff. "One of the biggest pieces is to be competitive for a police department, we need to look at their pay plan," Gage said.

The budget keeps base staffing unchanged but includes contingency language for a handful of positions (assistant fire marshal, HR and planning/codes upgrades, and a conversion to a traffic operations technician) that would be funded from the salary reserve or other identified revenues if the commission later approves the allocations.

Gage also outlined major capital projects included in the plan, such as the McEwen Drive extension, Split Log Road phase 3 and a playground replacement at Crockett Park, and said total capital improvements for the budget year are shown at just under $19 million.

Commissioners thanked staff for extensive budget work and emphasized the value of strong reserves. One commissioner noted the city’s debris removal costs from an ice storm were roughly $6.5 million and that FEMA reimbursement processes can take many months, a point used to justify maintaining robust fund balances.

After discussion and clarification about the salary reserve and revenue assumptions, the commission voted 'aye' and the ordinance passed unanimously on first reading. The ordinance will return for the required subsequent steps under city procedure.