How to Engage in this Year’s Budget Process
The City of Santa Barbara has released its Recommended Two-Year Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2026 & 2027 and the Operating & Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, and we’re inviting the community to get involved, learn how the budget impacts everyday life, and participate in shaping the City's financial priorities. The City invites residents to engage in the Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 budget process. In the coming weeks, the City Council will hold several public hearings, offering opportunities for community members to learn about the proposed budget and share their input.
Participate in a meeting, explore our interactive budget tools, and share your feedback on where funding is most needed!
- Tuesday, April 22 – Introduction and Filing of the Budget, with Department Highlights
- Tuesday, April 29 – Budget Recommendations and Proposed Fee Schedule
- Tuesday, May 6 – Budget hearing for all Funds
- Tuesday, June 3 - Special Council Priority Setting Workshop
- Tuesday, June 10 - Finance Committee: Reserve Policy, Measure C, and General Fund Capital Project Appropriations and Direction
- Tuesday, June 10 - Budget Deliberations and Prop. 218 Hearing on proposed FY2026-FY2029 Solid Waste Rates
- Tuesday, June 17 - City Council: Budget and Solid Waste Rates Adoption
What is a City Budget and How it Impacts You
A city budget is a financial blueprint that outlines how we plan to spend public funds. For Santa Barbara, that means making strategic decisions about how to support vital services, maintain infrastructure, and invest in programs that enhance quality of life.
The budget impacts nearly every part of daily life, including:
- Clean and safe drinking water
- Police, fire, and emergency services
- Road maintenance and public transportation
- Parks, recreation, and library services
- Sustainability programs and long-term planning
- and much more...
By understanding the budget, residents can better see how their tax dollars are spent and provide feedback on where funding is most needed.
All meetings are open to the public and can be attended in person or watched live through City TV Channel 18 and City TV YouTube.
How to Participate
The City values community input and offers several ways for residents to engage in the budget process:
- Watch and participate in public meetings in-person or remotely on YouTube and Zoom (see registration information on each meeting agenda)
- Submit written feedback by emailing Finance@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
- Visit the City’s Budget page to review materials, timelines, and presentation documents at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Budget-Reports
Budget Transparency Tools at Your Fingertips
To make the budget more accessible and easier to understand, the City provides a suite of interactive financial transparency tools. These tools allow residents to explore revenues, expenses, and capital projects in a user-friendly digital format.
- Interactive charts and dashboards
- Department-specific budget summaries
- Capital Improvement Program details
- Archived and current budget documents