Budget Review Subcommittee - Special Meeting - March 3, 2026

The City of Santa Rosa Budget Review Subcommittee held a special meeting on March 3, 2026, focused primarily on reviewing the fiscal year 2026-27 budgets for water, wastewater, regional reuse, storm water, and creeks enterprises. Key procurement-related discussions included detailed presentations on operating and capital improvement program (CIP) budgets, with proposed expenditures totaling approximately $170 million across enterprises. The meeting covered rate increases (6% for water, 5% for sewer), wholesale water cost pass-throughs, and the financial impact of a planned $35 million bond issuance for electrical infrastructure replacement at the Laguna Treatment Plant. The subcommittee reviewed CIP projects such as well replacements, pump station upgrades, sewer and water main replacements, storm drain repairs, and flood protection projects, with individual project costs ranging from $1.7 million to $15.4 million. The discussion also addressed reserve fund balances, funding challenges for storm water infrastructure, and the use of general fund supplements. No formal votes were recorded during this meeting, but the subcommittee was preparing to recommend the budget package to the full board in upcoming sessions.