TO: Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Finance |
Kelley Cochran |
425-556-2748 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Finance |
Haritha Narra |
Deputy Finance Director |
TITLE:
title
Budget Process Update: Preparations for Budget Deliberations & Community Engagement Summary
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The 2027-2028 budget deliberations are scheduled for late October and early November. Finance staff will provide an overview of preparations and resources available to support and guide Council. Staff will also provide answers to any questions that Council may have regarding the community engagement activities or summary.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
2027-2028 budget deliberations are scheduled for late October and early November:
• October 22, 6 p.m.
• October 27, 7 p.m.
• October 29, 6 p.m.
• November 5, 6 p.m. (if needed)
In preparation for budget deliberations:
• A PowerPoint providing an overview of the budget process and resources/presentations that have been provided, as well as a schedule for upcoming deliberations. (Attachment A).
• Council adopted Ground Rules for 2027-2028 Preliminary Budget Deliberations on August 3, 2026 (Attachment B).
• The City completed ten community engagement activities for the 2027-2028 Biennial Budget. Council is provided with a full update on community engagement findings, including results from the September 10, 2026, CBO community engagement session (Attachments C-F).
2027-2028 Budget Community Engagement Summary
Finance and Communications staff implemented an expanded outreach approach for the 2027 - 2028 Biennial Budget. The City completed ten engagement activities across digital, print, and in-person channels, with several additional efforts underway.
1. Refreshed budget information on redmond.gov was launched on July 1. Webpages for the Budgeting for Outcomes process and the adopted budget materials were redesigned, and a new webpage dedicated to budget engagement and community participation in the budget process was developed.
2. A budget questionnaire, published July 1 on Let’s Connect Redmond, received 399 responses and over 1,000 page views. The questionnaire closed on September 14, and the results, and how feedback was incorporated into the budget, will be shared during the October 13, 2026, Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole meeting.
3. The summer Focus newsletter, which included a write-up highlighting community participation opportunities in the budget process, arrived in mailboxes in early July.
4. Finance staff engaged with community members at Derby Days on July 25 to gather community feedback on budget priorities and raise awareness of engagement opportunities.
5. A promotional video/reel highlighting the budget process was posted to the City's social media channels on August 8, receiving approximately 4,400 views and 540 engagements.
6. A news release on upcoming public hearings was issued September 2, with additional news releases, social media, and eNews posts planned ahead of each public hearing this fall.
7-10. The City partnered with Fulcrum Strategy Group to conduct community engagement sessions with Redmond residents, commissioners/board members, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to gather qualitative feedback on priorities, city services, and budgeting for equity, which entails a strategic thinking approach aimed at guaranteeing that every member of the community possesses the resources and access to services required to flourish within their diverse identities, circumstances, and experiences.
Fulcrum Strategy Group (FSG) facilitated four community engagement sessions as part of the budget process:
• March 31, 2026 - Two online focus groups with 13 Redmond residents representing a range of backgrounds including renters and homeowners, long-term residents and newcomers, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Key themes included strong community pride in Redmond; significant concerns about housing affordability and the rising cost of living; desire for more third places and community gathering spaces; and broad support for the City's four budget priorities, with a consistent call for simpler, more accessible language in priority descriptions.
• July 14, 2026 - Commissioners and community focus group with city commissioners and Redmond residents. This session reinforced themes from the March groups and added new dimensions, including the need for affordable early childhood education and childcare, a desire for the City to articulate a long-term vision beyond accommodating growth, interest in a "15-minute city" concept, and specific suggestions for how each of the four budget priority categories could be strengthened and simplified.
• September 10, 2026 - CBO community engagement session gathered budget priority feedback from community-based organizations and their constituents, with a focus on reaching underrepresented communities. Council will be provided with the results of the September 10 session as part of the October 13, 2026, Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole meeting materials.
The fall Focus newsletter featuring the budget process was mailed the week of September 21.
A complete "What We Heard" summary incorporating all engagement findings was published alongside the preliminary budget on October 6, 2026.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
2027-2028 Budget Outreach and Engagement
Previous
• March 31, 2026 - The City partnered with Fulcrum Strategy Group to hold two online focus groups. Participants shared general community perspectives and progressed to targeted feedback on budget priorities and outcomes.
• May 21, 2026 - Council Conversations were promoted with budget-focused messaging as an opportunity to engage with the City regarding the budget.
• July 1, 2026 - A dedicated Let’s Connect Redmond page for 2027-2028 budget engagement launched, featuring the budget questionnaire and links to outreach efforts and engagement opportunities, including public hearings, Items from the Audience, and the budget@redmond.gov <mailto:budget@redmond.gov> email address for feedback. The budget questionnaire launched simultaneously and remains open for community input.
• July 6, 2026 - Budget engagement was featured in the summer Focus newsletter, arriving in mailboxes with a link to the City’s budget engagement webpage.
• July 14, 2026 - An additional focus group with city commissioners, board members, and community members was held, providing an opportunity to test whether themes identified in March were shared across different stakeholder groups.
• July 15-31, 2026 - Yard signs, flyers, and budget stickers were distributed at community buildings citywide including the Senior & Community Center and Community Center at Marymoor Village, and via PeachJar to LWSD families.
• July 25, 2026 - The City partnered with Parks to host a dedicated budget booth at Derby Days, focused on gathering community feedback on budget priorities and raising awareness of engagement opportunities.
• August 8, 2026 - A promotional video/reel highlighting the budget process was posted to the City's social media channels.
• September 2, 2026 - A news release on upcoming public hearings was issued.
• September 10, 2026 - A CBO Community Engagement session, facilitated by Fulcrum Strategy Group, gathered budget priority feedback from community-based organizations and their constituents, with a focus on reaching underrepresented communities.
• September 21/22, 2026 - The fall Focus newsletter featuring a budget process article was mailed.
• September 25, 2026 - OneRedmond newsletter and Economic Development eNews budget engagement outreach.
• October 6, 2026 - Mayor Birney introduced the preliminary budget.
Planned
• September 15-November 2, 2026 - Public hearings on the 2027-2028 budget (in-person and remote). Additional news releases, social media posts, and eNews communications planned ahead of each hearing.
• November 10, 2026 - Council adopts the 2027-2028 biennial budget.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Various communications channels have been and will continue to be utilized to communicate budget engagement opportunities and milestones. These channels include:
• News releases on redmond.gov
• eNews
• Social Media
• Focus newsletter
• Yard signs, flyers, and budget stickers distributed at community buildings citywide
• Utility bill inserts
• Derby Days budget booth in partnership with Parks
• Feedback Summary:
• The following will be shared with Council as part of the materials for the October 13, 2026, Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole meeting:
o The summary report from the March 31 and July 14 focus groups.
o Results from the September 10 CBO Community Engagement session.
o A budget questionnaire results report.
• Feedback from all outreach and engagement efforts will be incorporated into a "What We Heard" summary, published alongside the preliminary budget on October 6, 2026.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$63,645.68 - total cost for outreach and engagement efforts
• $62,000: Fulcrum Strategy Group-facilitation for focus groups & community engagement sessions
• $485.76: Utility Bill Inserts
• $432.76: Budget Stickers
• $392.47: Yard Signs
• $200.00: Budget Questionnaire Advertising on Peachjar (LWSD)
• $134.69: Budget Flyers
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
297 Fiscal Accountability
Budget Priority:
Strategic & Responsive
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
1/27/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
2/10/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Provide Direction |
|
2/10/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
3/3/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
|
3/10/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Provide Direction |
|
3/24/2026 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
4/14/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Receive Information |
|
4/14/2026 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
4/28/2026 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
5/12/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Receive Information |
|
5/12/2026 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
6/9/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Provide Direction |
|
7/14/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Provide Direction |
|
7/28/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
8/3/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Approve |
|
9/8/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
9/15/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
|
9/22/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability |
Receive Information |
|
9/22/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
10/6/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
10/20/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
|
10/22/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Provide Direction |
|
10/27/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
10/29/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Provide Direction |
|
11/2/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Receive Information |
|
11/5/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Provide Direction |
|
11/10/2026 |
Special Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: PowerPoint - Budget Process Status Update
Attachment B: Council Ground Rules for 2027-2028 Preliminary Budget Deliberations
Attachment C: 2027-2028 Biennial Budget Community Engagement Update
Attachment D: Focus Group Feedback Report
Attachment E: CBO Engagement Session Report
Attachment F: Budget Questionnaire Results Report