American Canyon adopts 2026–27 operating budget and five‑year CIP, approves landscaping assessments

The City Council approved the fiscal 2026–27 operating budget and the five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) on June 2, passing two resolutions by unanimous roll call. Finance staff described a balanced budget for next year with $34.22 million in revenues and matching expenditures, a contingency reserve at 25% of general fund expenditures, and targeted staffing additions. The council also adopted the CIP, which programs roughly $71 million over five years and assigns about $44.2 million to transportation projects in the coming fiscal year.

Key budget details: Finance Director Cruz (self‑identified in the presentation) told the council personnel costs will total roughly $11.3 million (about 33% of operating expenditures). The final budget adds three positions: a parks maintenance worker, a chief building official, and one sheriff officer. The contingency reserve remains at the policy target (about $8.3 million). Staff warned that under conservative assumptions — modest revenue growth but salary and benefit inflation — operating gaps could reappear in later years, and councilors asked staff to prepare follow‑up work on long‑term fiscal strategies.

Capital program highlights: Public Works Director Erica Almond Smithy summarized the CIP and said the city expects a heavy project year ahead (44 projects on the docket), including major transportation lines and utility upgrades; transportation is the largest share of next year’s CIP. Staff noted pressure points such as a grant obligation deadline for Pavement Rehabilitation (Melvin) and the engineering and right‑of‑way needs for large corridor projects. The council adopted the CIP resolution unanimously.

Assessments: The council also held a public hearing and confirmed the annual engineers’ report for the city’s Landscape and Lighting Assessment District. Assessment increases were modest and intended to restore reserves and fund multi‑year park and trail needs (example: zone‑level playground and restroom work, tree removals and replacements, and trail/fence projects). The assessments were adopted by resolution.

Council direction: Several council members requested a near‑term report on long‑term operating deficits and recommended a follow‑up plan to manage fiscal pressures. The council approved the operating budget and CIP in separate roll‑call votes.

Next steps: Staff will publish the adopted budget and begin implementation; budget items requiring contracts or grants will return to the council as required for award and appropriation.