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Page 1 of 4 Item #3 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT March 18, 2025 City Manager TITLE: RECEIVE A REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-27 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS SUMMARY This report provides a comprehensive analysis of community engagement efforts related to the budget development process for Fiscal Years 2025-27, including outcomes from the Budget Town Hall and additional community engagement activities. A separate update on the Budget Advisory Committee's activities and recommendations will be provided to the City Council later this spring. RECOMMENDATION Receive a report on community engagement for the Fiscal Years 2025-27 budget development process. BACKGROUND The City operates on a two-year budget cycle. Prior to July 1 of every odd numbered year, the City Manager submits to the City Council a proposed two-year budget for the subsequent two fiscal years. Public engagement is an important part of the budget development process to ensure that the voices of Pleasanton’s diverse community members are reflected in the final budget. For the upcoming two-year budget, the City is evaluating potential program and service reductions to address a projected structural deficit averaging $13 million annually over the next eight years, starting in fiscal year 2025/26. In December 2024, staff presented a comprehensive budget development community engagement strategy, consisting of one town hall, two pop-up events, and an online engagement tool. These tools were designed to complement scheduled City Council meetings and budget workshops, ensuring the public gains a clearer understanding of the budget development process and has multiple opportunities to provide input. After feedback from the City Council, staff revised the community engagement plan to include one town hall, several additional City Council budget workshops, and an online engagement tool; the City Council approved the revised FY 2025-27 budget development and engagement plan on January 9, 2025. Civic Makers, a Bay Area-based strategic consulting firm that had previously supported the citywide strategic plan engagement efforts, supported the budget community engagement efforts. A robust communications campaign included social media platforms, newsletters, a dedicated website landing page, and other collateral to broadly inform residents and businesses about the budget development engagement opportunities. To further enhance community participation, the City Council also approved the creation of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) to provide insights and recommendations on community priorities and strategies for achieving a balanced budget. A separate update on the Budget Page 22 of 348