Budget Committee

Remote

• Received presentations on the mayor’s 2026 recommended budgets for the Health Department, Youth Coordinating Board, and IT Department.
  • The Health Department said they are at risk of losing funding for core services, including school-based clinics.
  • The Youth Coordinating Board said all of its after school programs are at risk of losing federal funding, and that they have less capacity to offer reduced fees or free participation. Staff are also leaving the field due to low wages and few benefits.
  • The IT department said its biggest risks are cybersecurity and the pace of change with A.I. evolution.
• Received a presentation on the city’s revenue.
  • The city historically has relied on federal and state funding. To make up for lost funds, the city is reducing costs and exploring revenue opportunities, including revisiting service fees for universities, hospitals and churches (per city statute), land value taxes and plastic bag fees.