Mayor Stephanie Terry is inviting residents to have a say in shaping the 2026 city budget at a Community Budget Forum on Tuesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the Browning Room at EVPL Central Library.
The program will begin with a short presentation from Mayor Terry and City Controller Robert Gunter about the budget process, including explanations of where city funds come from and the way city officials make decisions about how to allocate those funds.
Attendees then will break into groups for moderated discussions about their own priorities for funding in the 2026 city budget.
“When my administration went through our first budget process last year, I saw that public input often comes too late—after the full budget is presented to City Council,” said Mayor Terry. “We want to change that by creating opportunities for real dialogue early in the process. A transparent budget builds trust, and the best way to serve our residents is by listening to them.”
Mayor Terry emphasized that community engagement is key to responsible budgeting. “Taxpayer dollars should reflect community needs,” she said. “This forum ensures residents have a direct role in shaping how we invest in our city’s future.”
Mayor Terry and her team will bring the information gathered at the Budget Forum into the city budgeting process, which will begin in May with meetings between Mayor Terry, Controller Gunter, and individual department heads across the city.
Members of the public can find more information on the city’s 2025 budget at tinyurl.com/EVVBudget.
