Colma Budget Overview

FY2026-27 Proposed Budget

Budget Signals

• The proposed General Fund remains positive after transfers, but the public story should explain the transfer support for capital, debt, and sewer programs.
• Sales tax is the dominant revenue source, making Colma's budget sensitive to commercial and retail activity.
• Cardroom taxes are the second-largest General Fund revenue source and are budgeted using a five-year historical average.
• Police is the largest proposed spending area.
• The FY2026-27 proposed budget includes two proposed new full-time positions: Public Works Director and Planning Manager.
• The FY2025-26 adopted budget showed a General Fund deficit, while FY2024-25 actuals were strongly positive.

What Residents Should Watch

• Whether the proposed FY2026-27 budget is adopted with the same balanced/modest-surplus posture.
• Whether sales tax growth from Measure AA and local commercial activity meets expectations.
• How capital transfers affect the General Fund while street, sewer, public facility, and IT projects continue.
• Whether Police labor, pension, and healthcare costs continue to drive operating growth.
• Whether new Public Works and Planning positions improve service capacity enough to justify the shift from consultants to staff.
• Whether large transportation projects, especially El Camino Real bicycle and pedestrian improvements, move from design and grant funding into delivery.