Needles Council adopts balanced FY 2026–27 budget, affirms reserves and infrastructure investments

The Needles City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 operating and capital budgets for the City, the Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA) and the Housing Authority after a second public hearing.

City Manager Patrick Martinez described the proposal as a balanced budget with strong general‑fund reserves sufficient to cover next year’s infrastructure improvements and required reserve levels. "For fiscal year 26–27 budget, it is a balanced budget," Martinez told the council. Staff highlighted continued investments in public safety, maintenance of city assets, utility reliability, and updated financial-management policies included in the packet.

The council received no public comment on the budget during the hearing and approved adoption by affirmative roll-call vote. Staff said the budget assumes continued utility stability for the NPUA and that budget policies will be updated to improve financial oversight. Martinez noted the city has set aside budgeted dollars — including cannabis tax revenues already earmarked for streets — to support street maintenance while also evaluating potential ballot measures that could increase street-repair funding.

What’s next: the council’s adoption places the FY 2026–27 budgets into effect; staff will monitor implementation and report back on capital projects and policy updates as the fiscal year progresses.