HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Finance and Management Services
www.santa-ana.org/finance
Item # 7
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 2, 2025
TOPIC: Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27
AGENDA TITLE
Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27
(FY26-27).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
The FY26-27 Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan outline the City's
strategy for promoting a successful, inclusive, and transparent budget process. The goals
of community engagement in the annual budget development process are to:
1. Ensure the process is clear and open to the public
2. Gather feedback to align the budget with community needs and priorities
3. Foster trust among the community, City Council, and City staff
City staff will employ multiple engagement techniques, including attending citywide
events, hosting Community Budget Meetings in each City Council ward, facilitating
Listening Tour visits, and conducting a budget priorities survey. During the spring months,
City leadership holds internal budget meetings with each City department, providing
departments the opportunity to propose workforce changes and funding requests.
Early Direction, tentatively scheduled for March 17, 2026, serves two purposes: first, to
provide information about the current fiscal year that may impact the FY26-27 budget and
future years; and second, to request direction from the City Council regarding budget
priorities. City Council is scheduled to consider the proposed budget in May and hold a
public hearing in June.
The City transitioned to a year-round survey process in the current fiscal year, now
accessible via the Budget Office website at https://www.santa-ana.org/budget. The
survey will remain open until the City Council formally adopts the budget in June.
Following budget adoption in 2026, City staff will review and revise the Budget Priorities
Budget Calendar and Community Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27
December 2, 2025
Page 2
5
4
5
1
Survey questions based on key themes and topics identified through engagement
activities and Council discussions. Once revised, the FY27-28 survey will be promptly
posted to support year-round engagement.
The FY26-27 Budget Calendar begins in December 2025 and concludes with the
adoption of the Citywide Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in
June 2026, with an effective start date of July 1, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Calendar
2. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Community Engagement Plan
Submitted By: Alexander Trinidad, Executive Director – Finance and Management
Services Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager
2 DEC
5 MAY
FEB/MAR/APR
TBD MAY
17 MAR City Council Provides Early Budget Policy Direction
19 MAY
23 FEB Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to
Planning Commission
2 JUNE
16 JUNE
1 JULY
CITY OF SANTA ANA
FY2026-27 BUDGET CALENDAR*
*Budget Calendar is subject to change*Budget Calendar is subject to change
Present FY2026-27 Budget Calendar & Community
Engagement Plan for City Council Approval
Community Engagement Campaign & Internal Department
Meetings
City Council Meeting: FY2026-27 Budget Discussion
City Council Work Session:
Community Engagement Results & Prioritization of Funding
Requests
City Council Meeting:
Proposed FY2026-27 Budget- Operating & CIP, Miscellaneous
Fees & Workforce Changes
Public Hearing: Annual AB2561 Report, Citywide Operating
Budget that includes CIP, Miscellaneous Fees, Budget
Ordinance & Personnel Resolution
Second Reading & Adoption: Citywide Operating Budget
FY2026-27 Fiscal Year Begins
EXHIBIT 1
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT PLAN
CITY OF SANTA ANA
COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT PLANCITY OF SANTA ANA
FY2026 - 2027FY2026 - 2027
Outreach strategies designed to
promote broad-based participation
in the annual budget process
across all Council Wards
EXHIBIT 1
1 DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
P U R P O S E S T A T E M E N T :
T H E W H Y
P U R P O S E S T A T E M E N T :
T H E W H Y
P U R P O S E S T A T E M E N T :
T H E W H Y
The purpose of community engagement is to gather broad-based input on Santa Ana’s
budget priorities, ensuring that the City Council has a vast array of insights when
allocating resources. This Community Engagement Plan outlines targeted outreach
strategies designed to promote inclusive participation in the annual budget
development process across all Council Wards.
A central challenge is making budget engagement both meaningful and engaging,
demonstrating to residents that their input directly influences decisions through the
resource allocation process. To achieve this, the plan emphasizes interactions that
connect community feedback to tangible outcomes.
This plan is informed by citywide best practices recommended by the Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
2
Increase Transparency and Accessibility
Provide budget materials in multiple languages to ensure broader community
access.
Simplify complex budget items and numbers for the general public.
Reduce barriers to engagement by leveraging the relationships local non-profits
and neighborhood associations have throughout the community.
Align Budget to Reflect Budget Priorities
Develop and publicize key budget items that show how budget spending
impacts community goals.
Expand Inclusive Community Engagement
Broaden efforts to include renters, non-English speakers, and other historically
underrepresented groups.
Strengthen Trust
Strive to close the feedback loop. Demonstrate how the allocation of resources
aligns with community priorities. Utilize multiple methods of engagement so they
complement one another. This should be a combination of informal and formal
methods.
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
O U R G O A L SOUR G O A L SOUR G O A L S
C O M B I N A T I O N O F 2 T Y P E S O F C O M M U N I T Y
E N G A G E M E N T
C O M B I N A T I O N O F 2 T Y P E S O F C O M M U N I T Y
E N G A G E M E N T
C O M B I N A T I O N O F 2 T Y P E S O F C O M M U N I T Y
E N G A G E M E N T
INFORMATIVE PARTICIPATION
PREPARATORY & BUDGET PARTICIPATION
Goal: Share easy-to-understand budget information in
popular places.
Why It Matters: This transparency helps you understand how
your tax dollars are spent and your input helps inform budget
decisions.
How We’ll Do It: Expect simple budget breakdowns on our
city website, budget news on social media, and information in
our city newsletter.
Goal: Source your ideas and feedback to create a budget that
truly represents our community.
Why It Matters: Your input directly influences city spending,
and online options make it easier for everyone to participate.
How You’ll Do It: Attend community workshops, speak at
public budget meetings, or fill out our surveys online or on
paper.
3 DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
4
Community Non-Profits,
Community Centers,
Churches, Schools,
Neighborhood
Associations,
Com-Link
Community Non-Profits,
Community Centers,
Churches, Schools,
Neighborhood
Associations,
Com-Link
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
P U B L I C I N P U TPUBLIC I N P U TPUBLIC I N P U T
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
Youth & FamiliesYouth & Families
City Departments &
Agencies,
Commissions &
Committees
City Departments &
Agencies,
Commissions &
Committees
BusinessesBusinesses
Educational Institutions
Students, families, and educators are the heart of our schools, offering unique insights
into the educational needs and aspirations of students.
Host public forums or workshops with Santa Ana Unified School District
(SAUSD) and Santa Ana College (SAC) to gather input on priorities and budget
allocation.
Provide multilingual (English, Spanish, & Vietnamese) materials and interpreters
to ensure broad community participation.
Provide easy-to-understand presentations to clearly explain how financial
resources are being used to support youth success and community
development.
5
E D U C A T I O NEDUCATIONEDUCATION
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
6DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
City Departments & Agencies
City departments connect us to our diverse community, offering unique channels to
reach residents and gather invaluable input on budget priorities and civic initiatives.
Collaborate with City Manager’s Office of Public Information to advertise
engagement efforts through press releases (English, Spanish, & Vietnamese),
social media ads, Nixle, digital marquees, City Hall lobby screens, & other
display advertisements.
Tap into the City’s multiple social media platforms by collaborating with the
most active departments that have the largest number of followers.
Promote community engagement through various city published newsletters
such as:
City Manager’s Newsletter, Santa Ana Police Department, Library, Parks
and Recreation, Economic Development, and Arts & Culture.
L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T E N T I T I E SLOCAL G O V E R N M E N T E N T I T I E SLOCAL G O V E R N M E N T E N T I T I E S
Community Organizations
Local non-profit organizations are essential partners in the City’s community
engagement efforts. They provide valuable connections to diverse populations and
offer insight into the needs of Santa Ana’s most vulnerable residents.
By partnering with non-profits, the City broadens participation and ensures that
community input reflects a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences. These
partnerships will include organizations focused on youth development, senior
services, immigrant and refugee support, education, faith-based initiatives, health
outreach, and cultural advocacy.
Council Ward Meetings
Ensure that community engagement efforts reach and adequately represent
residents from all council wards. This means engaging with diverse voices from
each area of the city to reflect the unique needs, priorities, and perspectives within
each ward.
7
C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O R T G R O U P SCOMMUNITY S U P P O R T G R O U P SCOMMUNITY S U P P O R T G R O U P S
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
8
Citywide Events
Community events and organizations play an essential role in fostering participation
and giving residents a voice in shaping Santa Ana’s future—from infrastructure
investments to arts and cultural initiatives. The City partners with local event organizers
and community groups to create accessible, engaging opportunities for residents to
learn about the budget process, share their priorities, and see how their input influences
City decisions.
The following upcoming events for Winter/Spring 2026 are:
Lunar New Year Festival - February 7, 2026
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros - April 25, 2026
C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T SCOMMUNITY E V E N T S
Tools to Provide Input
Complete our Online / Paper Budget Priorities Survey!
Give us your feedback at our community workshops and city meetings!
Contact us via email or by phone!
9
https://www.santa-ana.org/budget
BudgetOffice@santa-ana.org
714.647.5420
Contact us!Contact us!
L o c a l S a l e s T a x
A c c o u n t a b i l i t y
T a k e t h e C o m m u n i t y
B u d g e t S u r v e y !
Helpful Links & Information
D o w n l o a d S a n t a
A n a ’s A p p !
T O O L S & R E S O U R C E STOOLS & R E S O U R C E STOOLS & R E S O U R C E S
F Y 2 5 -2 6
B u d g e t D e t a i l s
DECEMBER, 2025CITY OF SANTA ANA FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERVICES