TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
Finance
Kelley Cochran
425-556-2748
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
Finance
Haritha Narra
Deputy Finance Director
Finance
Hailey Zurcher
Financial Planning Manager
TITLE:
title
2027-2028 Budget Process Update: Community Engagement
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Council will be updated on the City's community engagement efforts to inform priorities and proposed outcomes for the 2027-2028 budget. Staff will outline the approach, focus areas, and next steps for incorporating community feedback into the budget development process. 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:
Supports the 2027-2028 budget development process by incorporating community input on priorities and outcomes.
OUTCOMES:
The City partnered with Fulcrum Strategy Group to conduct targeted focus groups with Redmond residents to gather qualitative feedback on priorities and proposed outcomes.
Two focus groups were held on March 31, 2026 (5:30-7 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m.). Participants were recruited through a structured screening process to ensure a diverse mix of residents across age, gender, and perspectives. Each session included approximately 6-7 participants to support meaningful and balanced discussion.
The discussions followed a structured moderator guide and progressed from general community perspectives to targeted feedback on priorities and proposed outcomes, including how residents define success within each priority area. The moderator's guide is attached for reference.
This effort will provide structured input from a diverse group of residents, along with targeted feedback on proposed outcomes and community perspectives on how success should be defined and measured. A summary repo...
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