Auburn council adopts proposed $33.5 million budget for 2026–27

The Auburn City Council adopted the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget on June 1, approving a $33,456,954 citywide spending plan that includes an $18.7 million general fund.

Finance Director Gretchen Hoskins presented the proposal and noted a projected one-time shortfall of about $1.1 million in the current year for storm-drain repairs; council agreed to use reserves to cover that immediate need. The proposed budget preserves the general-fund reserve policy target (25% of expenditures) and flags ongoing volatility in sales-tax receipts as the largest revenue uncertainty.

Hoskins reviewed major fund-level highlights: the sewer fund plans about $8.5 million in expenditures (including contract operations and capital), the airport fund anticipates capital projects paid partially from reserves, and transportation-related funds (gas tax, transit) total roughly $2.7 million in restricted revenues. She also described two personnel adjustments under consideration: reassigning a payroll-related half-time position to HR and reclassifying a vacant finance technician to finance analyst to address increased accounting and audit complexity.

Councilors discussed sales-tax distribution (Bradley-Burns rules), the county pool allocation for online or out-of-city purchases, and the importance of pursuing grants for capital projects. After public comment was closed, a council member moved to adopt the proposed budget by resolution; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.