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.
City of Santa Barbara - Budget & Reporting
From maintaining our parks and libraries to funding public safety and essential infrastructure, the City’s annual budget is more than just numbers—it’s a reflection of our shared values and vision for Santa Barbara’s future.
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.
Upcoming Budget Hearings and Public Meeting Schedule
The City Council will hold several public hearings in the coming weeks, providing multiple opportunities for residents to learn more about the proposed budget and offer input.
Key dates include:
- 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 – Council Priority Setting Workshop
- Tuesday, June 10 – Budget Deliberations, and Prop. 218 Hearing for Proposed Solid Waste Rates
- Tuesday, June 17 – Budget and Solid Waste Rates Adoption
PROPOSED Schedule of All Budget Review Meetings & Public Hearings
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
Your voice matters—help shape our community’s priorities!
Budget Transparency Tools at Your Fingertips
To make the budget more accessible and easier to understand, the City of Santa Barbara 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.
Visit Budget & Reporting to explore:
- Interactive charts and dashboards
- Department-specific budget summaries
- Capital Improvement Program details
- Archived and current budget documents