Livable Raleigh

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-01 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Chavis Community Center, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, NC, United States
The City is seeking input from residents about priorities for the next City budget. The Budget and Management Services Department (BMS) will host listening sessions between October 1 and 16, and a budget priorities survey will be available between October 1 and November 30. Resident input is critical in creating a representative City budget.
There will be six opportunities for in-person engagement, in addition to a virtual session.
Virtual Session
The virtual listening session will be held via Zoom. Residents who choose the virtual session must pre-register and will receive the Zoom link the day before the session.
Wednesday, October 15, 6-7:30 p.m.
In-Person Sessions
In person sessions will kick off on October 1 and run through October 16. They will be held at community centers in each district.
• registration is not required to attend an in-person session, however residents that would like an email reminder, free childcare, or free interpretation services should register using this link
– childcare is available at all in-person sessions, except Budget and Brews, if requested at least three days in advance
– interpretation services (for any language) are available at all sessions if requested at least three days in advance
• to ensure that all voices are heard, residents are asked to attend only one listening session
Residents may attend any session, regardless of what district they live in. If you’re not sure what district you live in, visit the Services web page and enter your address.
Schedule for in-person sessions:
Wednesday, October 1, 6-7:30 p.m. – District C – Chavis Community Center, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Thursday, October 2, 6-7:30 p.m. – District A – Green Road Community Center, 4201 Green Rd.
Tuesday, October 7, 6-7:30 p.m. – District B – Abbots Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Rd.
Monday, October 13, 6-7:30 p.m. – District D - Jaycee Community Center, 2405 Wade Ave.
Tuesday, October 14, 6-7:30 p.m. – District E – Laurel Hills Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd.
Budget and Brews
Budget and Brews is the final in-person listening session. There, residents can share their thoughts about the City budget with free pizza provided!
Thursday, October 16, 6-7:30 p.m. – State of Beer, 401 Hillsborough St., Suite B
Budget Survey
A budget priorities survey will be available from October 1 through November 30. Residents may attend a session and/or share their thoughts via the online survey! The survey link will be added to the web on October 1.
For more information, visit RaleighNC.gov and search “budget input”. BMS is also available to answer questions by phone at 919-996-4270, or email at budget@raleighnc.gov.

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Green Road Community Center

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27614

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Jaycee Park Community Center, 2405 Wade Avenue, Raleigh

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Laurel Hills Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Road, 27612

City Budget Listening Sessions
2025-10-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual

Budget and Brews - City Budget Listening Session
2025-10-16 18:00 - 19:30 | State of Beer, 401 Hillsborough Street, Suite B

City Council Pre-Budget Work Session
2026-02-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
A.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR

B.

AGENDA

B.1

FY2027 Budget Engagement Recap

Sadia Sattar, Budget and Management Services
The Budget and Management Services Department (BMS) in the City of Raleigh is tasked each year to ensure the involvement of resident voices as part of the City’s budget development process. In support of this task, BMS engaged directly with the community as part of the FY2027 Proposed Budget development process.
This work session outlines steps taking by BMS as part of the City’s annual budget engagement work, which commenced in October 2025 and concluded in November 2025.
Resident feedback from this critical work will help shape the City Manager’s Proposed FY2027 budget, which will be presented to City Council on May 19, 2026.

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Recommended Action: No action needed at this time.

B.2

Targeted Staffing Study Update

Ryan Bergman, City Manager’s Office
During the work session, Matrix Consulting Group will provide Council an overview of the Targeted Staffing Study. The study evaluated current workload demands, assessed future service needs based on projected geographic growth, and identified opportunities for operational improvements based on industry best practices for select departments across the City. Departments included in the study are Emergency Communications Center, Raleigh Police Department, Solid Waste Services, Engineering Services (Fleet Management), Housing & Neighborhoods (Code Enforcement), Planning & Development (Building Safety), Raleigh Fire Department (Office of the Fire Marshal), and Transportation (Street Maintenance and Traffic Engineering). The presentation will include recommendations for sustainable staffing models and strategies to meet service demands as Raleigh continues to grow.

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Recommended Action: Receive as information.

B.3

Human Resources Update

Sharnell Jones, Human Resources
During the work session, Human Resources staff will present employee benefits and compensation information and updates for City Council’s consideration as part of the FY2027 budget development process.

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Recommended Action: Receive as information.

C.

ADJOURNMENT

The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
View agendas and past minutes
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.

City Council Pre-Budget Work Session
2026-03-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
A.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR

B.

AGENDA

B.1

Parking Enterprise Update

Caitlyn Parker, Transportation
.
Information will be provided regarding the financial state of the parking enterprise as well as rate considerations needed to support the enterprise. This will build on information shared at the Council Retreat on January 24. For reference, the January 24 Council Retreat presentation is attached to this item.
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A presentation will be shared during the meeting.

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B.2

Raleigh Stormwater Enterprise FY2027 Proposed Budget

Wayne Miles, Engineering Services / Stormwater Management
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Staff will provide Council with an overview of the FY2027 proposed operating and capital improvement program budgets for Raleigh Stormwater as well as proposed adjustments to the Stormwater Utility Fee Rate and Stormwater Development Fees to support the proposed level of service.

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Recommended Action: Staff will seek Council input on the proposed rate adjustments.

B.3

Raleigh Water Enterprise

Whit Wheeler, Raleigh Water
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Staff will provide Council with an overview of the FY2027 proposed operating and capital budgets for Raleigh Water as well as an overview of the financial performance of the enterprise.

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Recommended Action: Staff seek City Council input on the proposed FY2027 rate adjustments.

C.

ADJOURNMENT

The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
View agendas and past minutes
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.

City Council Pre-Budget Work Session
2026-04-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
https://pub-raleighnc.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=377bbdf4-30ef-4cdb-b198-c2546684c77a&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
Meeting agendas are posted the Thursday before the scheduled meeting.
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.

City Council Budget Work Session
2026-06-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
A.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR

B.

AGENDA

B.1

FY2027 Proposed Budget Documents

Sadia Sattar, Budget and Management Services
As a reminder for Council, in addition to the Budget in Brief previously distributed, the proposed operating and capital budget documents are available online from the Budget and Management Services department webpages on the City’s website.

B.2

FY2027 Budget Notes

Nick Sadler, Budget and Management Services
As part of the FY26-27 proposed budget process, staff received three budget note requests from the City Council, which are listed below:
Budget Note 1: Funding recommendations for the design and construction of a band stage at city plaza and for permanent art installation on the city plaza pedestals; requested by Council Member Lambert-Melton.
Budget Note 2: Funding recommendations to get 24,000 trees; requested by Council Member Harrison.
Budget Note 3:

Staff provide a list of comparable services provided by other cities/jurisdictions; requested by Council Member Branch.
Staff provide the rate structure over time for monthly solid waste fees; requested by Council Member Harrison.
Staff provide information on how much General Fund subsidy is provided to a Solid Waste Services Enterprise Fund by other municipalities; requested by Mayor Cowell.

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Recommended Action: Informational purposes only.

C.

ADJOURNMENT

The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
Meeting agendas are posted the Thursday before the scheduled meeting.
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.

City Council Budget Work Session
2026-06-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
A.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR

B.

AGENDA

B.1

FY2027 Proposed Budget Documents

As a reminder for Council, in addition to the Budget in Brief previously distributed, the proposed operating and capital budget documents are available online from the Budget and Management Services department page on the City’s website.

B.2

FY2027 Budget Work Session Follow-Up

Stephen Bentley, Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources
During the June 1 Budget Work Session, City Council received a budget note on options to support the planting of 24,000 trees. This agenda item continues the conversation. Staff from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources will provide funding options to City Council for year one of the Leaf Out program.

B.3

FY2027 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Ordinances

This agenda item includes the ordinances and resolutions necessary for Council to adopt the FY2027 Operating Budget, FY2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program, and other ordinances typically included for annual budget adoption. Per state law, Council may adopt the budget after a public hearing on the proposed budget is held. The required public hearing was held on June 2, 2026.
No changes have been made in the FY2027 Proposed Operating or Capital Improvement Program Budget. If Council chooses to make changes to the budget those changes would be recorded in the budget ordinance and noted in the FY2027 Adopted Budget document.
The following ordinances and resolutions necessary for adoption are included with the agenda materials:
FY2026-27 Operating Budget Ordinance
FY2026-27 Capital Project Ordinance
FY2026-27 Municipal Service Districts Budget Resolution
FY2026-27 Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Budget Resolution

Recommended Action: Should Council desire to proceed with adoption of the annual budget it would be appropriate to adopt the ordinances and resolutions included with the agenda materials.

C.

ADJOURNMENT

The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
Meeting agendas are posted the Thursday before the scheduled meeting.
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.

City Council Budget Work Session
2026-06-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
The Raleigh City Council will meet for a budget work session.

Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
Meeting agendas are posted the Thursday before the scheduled meeting.
Visit our City Council page to find your council member and other council services.
