Budget Development
The City of Pleasanton is developing its new two-year budget for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. This page will keep the community informed throughout the process, offering regular updates, opportunities for engagement, and key dates and decisions.
View an overview of the City’s Current Budget Outlook and an update about the 2025-2027 budget development process.
View the Preliminary Proposed Budget Reduction Recommendations to be presented at the April 8 Special City Council meeting.
For an overview of how Pleasanton’s budget works, visit the City’s Budget Overview webpage.
Upcoming Meetings
- June 17 – Operating and Capital Budget Adoption
- May 20 – Budget Workshop: Proposed Biennial Budget and 5-year CIP
- April 8 – Special City Council Meeting – Presentation of Proposed General Fund Budget Reductions and Capital Improvement Program Recommendations
- Apr 2 – Budget Advisory Committee Meeting #4 – Preliminary Budget Reduction Recommendations
Timeline
For general information about the City’s budget, visit the Budget Overview webpage.
Pleasanton’s Budget: Overview and Preliminary Reduction Recommendations
The City must account for a $10 million annual budget deficit for the next two-year budget. View an update on the City’s 2025 budget outlook and 2025-2027 budget development process.
The City has developed Preliminary Proposed Budget Reduction Recommendations that will be presented during a Special City Council Meeting on April 8. View the proposed reductions by program area here:
- Library and Recreation
- Parks, Streets, and Facilities
- Community Support & Human Services
- Police and Fire
- Planning and Building
- Internal Services & Organizational Support
During a Budget Town Hall in February, the City presented materials outlining potential budget reductions.
Feb. 11 Budget Town Hall Video and Budget Reduction Materials
Additional Information
March 18 – City Council Meeting – Update on Budget Engagement Outcomes
March 13 – Budget Advisory Committee Meeting #3, 7:00 pm – Overview of BAC Dot Voting Exercise for Potential Program and Service Reductions
March 4 – Recommendations on use of Pension Reserves Agenda Report; 2-Year Baseline Budget and Long-Term Financial Forecast
Feb 20 – City Council Budget Workshop #2 – Independent Financial Forecast Report and Agenda Report;
Feb 18 – City Council Meeting – Mid-Year Budget Agenda Report and presentation
Feb 13 – Budget Advisory Committee Meeting #2, 6:00 pm Agenda and Meeting Information
Feb 11 – Budget Town Hall – Community Event, 6:00 pm Town Hall Flyer | Spanish | Chinese
Video of Budget Town Hall Presentation and Materials
January 10, 2025 – Summary of City Council Meeting Budget Items
January 9, 2025 – Budget Workshop – Budget Update, Budget Principles, and Key Financial Policies; and presentation
January 9, 2025 – City Council Meeting – Proposal of a Budget Development and Engagement Plan and Budget Development Calendar for the FY 2025/27 biannual budget; and presentation
January 9, 2025 – City Council Meeting – Approval of a Budget Advisory Committee and appointment of members; and presentation
November 19, 2024 – Staff report on FY 2023/24 Year-End Operating Budget Report and budget amendments; and presentation
November 19, 2024 – Staff report on FY 2023/24 Capital Improvement Program financial activities and program delivery; and presentation
Background Information
- September 19, 2024 – Press Release – Pleasanton Budget Update Highlights Financial Challenges and Strategic Actions
- September 17, 2024 – City Council Meeting – Presentation of City Budget Update in advance of the upcoming 2-year budget development process
- June 18, 2024 – City Council Meeting – Presentation on polling results associated with revenue measure feasibility; Adopt FY 2024/25 Mid-Term budget (adopted at May 21 City Council Meeting); Review language for a potential ballot measure to increase General Fund revenue ( 1/2 cent sales tax)
- June 4, 2024 – City Council Meeting – Presentation on community survey results associated with City priorities
- May 21, 2024 – Budget Workshop – View the Agenda Report that introduces potential future service reductions (Contingency Menu) if revenues do not increase
- May 21, 2024 – City Council Meeting – Presentation on the use of Pension Trust funds to reduce the projected General Fund deficit
- March 19, 2024 – City Council Meeting – View the Agenda Report presenting financial forecast assumptions and proposed reductions to discretionary spending.
FAQs
Why does the City need to make cuts?
Pleasanton is facing a severe and increasing structural deficit, meaning that expenses have and will continue to grow faster than revenues. Current forecasts indicate an average budget shortfall of approximately $13 million annually over the next eight years.
The City’s General Fund supports both City services and infrastructure. As the community has grown over the years, City services and programs have expanded to accommodate the increase in service demand. The City lost more than $11 million in hotel tax revenue during the pandemic and has not fully recovered to the pre-pandemic level, impacting the City’s financial stability.
What is the City doing to manage its finances responsibly?
The City of Pleasanton is committed to responsibly using the community’s money as we continue to provide the services it expects and prioritizes. We are working to cut costs from our budget, we’ve already cut $2.5 million from this year’s budget and are looking for more ways to save. Every time we have a financial decision to make, we consider all options to determine if, and how much, should be spent.
As the community has grown, the City has added new amenities and services without increasing staffing levels and resources proportionally. As new parks have been added, staff to maintain and run them have not increased at the same level. As new miles of roadway have been added to the city, street maintenance staff and engineers have not been increased proportionately. As the population has increased, police and fire staffing numbers have not increased proportionately.
What has the City done to contain costs and increase revenue?
The City has been working to proactively address projected budget deficits with a combination of reduced costs and new revenue. We have cut over $2.5 million from this year’s budget. We aren’t starting new programs that don’t pay for themselves. We’re cutting back on contractors where we can. We’ve frozen multiple vacant positions.
We’re looking at ways to increase revenue like increased fees for development and adjusting user fees for City facilities.
Over time, the City has made changes to its organizational structure, compensation packages, and operating strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Reduced retiree health benefits are being offered to employees, and all City employees now contribute their maximum share towards the employee’s portion of the pension contribution. The City has also been proactive in setting funds aside in a pension reserve and established General Fund reserves to weather economic uncertainties.
What is the City prioritizing during this budget development process?
In early 2025 City Council established budget principles that will guide the difficult decisions we now face. These principles will guide how money is spent, with a focus on long-term financial stability while delivering the most important services that residents have said they want with the limited funding available.
The Budget Principles are:
1. Long-term fiscal stability
2. Protect essential services like public safety, parks, and programs for youth and seniors
3. Community engagement & equity
4. Prioritize infrastructure such as City buildings, community facilities, parks, and roads
What reductions are being proposed?
The summary below shows the overall budget and cuts for each service area, demonstrating the City’s commitment to prioritizing core and essential services such as public safety, development, and maintaining our parks, streets, and facilities. View a complete list of recommended reductions here.
Library and Recreation
• Current Budget – $11.6 million
• Recommended cuts – $2.05 million
• Percentage of Program Budget – 18%
Parks, Streets, Facilities
• Current Budget – $31.1 million
• Recommended cuts – $1.75 million
• Percentage of Program Budget – 6%
Community Support and Human Services
• Current Budget – $8.7 million
• Recommended cuts – $1.66 million
• Percentage of Program Budget – 19%
Police and Fire
• Current Budget – $66.0 million
• Recommended cuts – $920,000
• Percentage of Program Budget – 1%
Planning and Building
• Current Budget – $11.1 million
• Recommended cuts – $380,000
• Percentage of Program Budget – 3%
Internal Services and Operational Support
• Current Budget – $25.9 million
• Recommended cuts – $2.8 million
• Percentage of Program Budget – 11%
Why is the City proposing THESE reductions?
The recommended cuts to existing services represent the best path to fiscal stability. While the City could use its reserves (savings) to minimize the impact in the short term, this would not solve the underlying financial challenge. Relying on one-time funds for ongoing expenses would only create a larger budget gap in the future.
Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)
Mission of the BAC is to:
- Learn – Develop an understanding of the City’s budget and financial issues
- Engage – Provide input to the City Manager on community priorities and strategies for program delivery to ensure a long-term balanced budget
- Collaborate – Collaborate with the City Manager to formulate recommendations for City Council approval in June 2025
BAC Members: 11
- 5 Community Representatives
- 1 appointed by each Mayor and each Councilmember
- 4 Labor and Management Representatives
- 2 At-Large Members identified by City Manager