Budget Plan Adds Public Safety Positions After New Revenue Update

Princeton City Council reviewed a proposed fiscal year 2026-27 general fund budget built on a voter approval tax rate of 0.472959, with city staff saying a recent revenue update created room to restore some council priorities. Chief Financial Officer Kelly Wilson said confirmed ESD revenue of $1,234,310 added about $1 million in budget capacity while still keeping reserves above 25%.

Wilson told council the budget snapshot presented at the meeting showed $37.15 million in revenue and $36.2 million in expenditures. That would leave about $943,000 rolling into fund balance, with a proposed ending fund balance of $10,241,446. She said reserves under the plan would be 28.29%.

Council members signaled support for the direction of the proposal, which staff said would bring back several previously identified priorities. The meeting recap described the biggest confirmed moves of the night as discussion items rather than final votes, and no final budget action was taken.

The broader budget discussion centered on how to use the added capacity without dropping reserve levels below the city’s target. Officials said the new revenue made it possible to add items back into the proposed spending plan while maintaining a reserve cushion above 25%.

Any tax rate and budget decisions still await formal council action at a future meeting. For now, the proposal gives residents an early look at the city’s expected revenue, spending, and reserve position as the budget process moves toward adoption.