May 28, 2026 - Budget Workshop

The City of Menlo Park held a budget workshop on May 28, 2026, to present and discuss the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget. The workshop included detailed presentations from various department directors covering the operating budget and the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposed general fund budget includes $89.8 million in expenditures against $88 million in revenues, projecting a $1.8 million deficit, with efforts underway to reduce this gap through budget adjustments and cost-saving measures. Key procurement-related highlights include funding for 297 full-time equivalent positions, a $3.9 million transfer to the General Capital Improvement Fund, and ongoing CIP projects such as street resurfacing, clean energy installations, and public plaza improvements. The Community Development Department outlined major development projects and affordable housing initiatives supported by loans and funding allocations. The Police Department's $29.3 million budget emphasizes personnel costs and technology upgrades, while Public Works detailed multi-year infrastructure projects and strategies to address funding shortfalls by delaying or reducing some projects. The workshop also emphasized transparency through the OpenGov budget portal and encouraged public participation in upcoming budget hearings. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were announced, but the discussion included capital project funding and budget allocations that will influence future procurement activities.