The Roseville City Manager presented the City Council with several budget scenarios for 2026, one of which maintains the status quo and others that prioritize bolstering the city’s police and fire departments to meet rising demand.
The scenarios incorporate strategies to mitigate rising costs, including applying for federal and state grants for public safety personnel, reducing expenses where possible, and introducing utility franchise fees.
The City Council received the presentation at the Aug. 25 meeting, which is available here. The Council will pass a preliminary budget at the Sept. 22 meeting, which sets ceilings on both the 2026 budget and the property tax levy. The 2026 final budget, which will be passed in December, may be lower than the preliminary budget, but under state law, cannot exceed it.
A different approach to budgeting
Typically, the city manager presents one clear budget recommendation to the City Council. This year, given the complex budget decisions facing city leaders, Roseville City Manager Patrick Trudgeon decided to present several options.
“We know our residents and our council members value transparency. We want the community to understand the factors we are weighing and the choices we are making,” Trudgeon said. “We know our community members are under financial strain. We know property taxes are real dollars that have real consequences on household budgets. We also know our community expects quick and professional emergency response from our police and fire departments. The 2026 Budget wrestles with both of those demands.”
Residents can still weigh in at the following meetings:
- Sept. 15: City Council receives Finance Commission budget recommendations
- Sept. 22: City Council adopts preliminary city tax levy and budget
- Dec. 1: 2025 Truth in Taxation Hearing