Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Administrative and Financial Officer (CAFO) Cathy Buono and team completed the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget hearings today. Chief of Staff Bill Baker, Deputy CAFO Lindsay Hackett, and Budget Director Chris Fraser were also in attendance along with City Councilors Zaida Govan and Tim Allen, and City Councilor Victor Davila by Zoom.
City Department Heads continued presenting their FY26 budget requests and responded to questions from Mayor Sarno and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Today Mayor Sarno heard from the following departments: Human Resources & Labor Relations, Public Works (DPW), Planning & Economic Development, Building/Housing – Code Enforcement, and Police.
Mayor Sarno states, “Thank you CAFO Cathy Buono and team and to the department heads for their presentations this week. Thanks to the City Councilors and media too who attended. We have been able to hear some great updates and highlights from our city departments along with their budget requests and had productive discussions this week. Not only am I very proud of our sound fiscal management and the award-winning finance team under the leadership of CAFO Cathy Buono, I am extremely proud of our entire city team’s commitment to serving our Springfield and providing services in an efficient, effective, strategic and compassionate way – no matter the challenge before us.”
Mayor Sarno states, “As always, we are doing our due diligence and will be prepared to deal with ‘the ebb and flow’ of our local, state and national economic landscape. Throughout all of the challenges we have encountered, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and economic uncertainty, my administration has maintained the highest bond ratings in our City’s history, along with a strong and healthy reserve. My Administration will continue to provide sound and prudent fiscal leadership for an efficient, effective, strategic and compassionate way to assure that city services continue to be provided for our residents and business community.”
CAFO Cathy Buono stated, “As we continue our FY26 budget process, our goal is to maintain core services with an eye on fiscal sustainability as we continue to monitor the potential of economic uncertainty. I look forward to working with the Mayor and department heads to craft a thoughtful budget that lives within our means and doesn’t mortgage the future.”
FY26 budget hearings began on Tuesday and concluded today, Friday with hearings taking place at City Hall in the Mayor’s Conference Room (Room 205). The hearings were open to the public to attend and recordings of the hearings are also available to watch thanks to Focus Springfield Community TV.
FY26 Budget Hearings recording link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvOuWQocAi2LMyyVskxK3Uze9WigqGQI
