2.2) Receive the Proposed Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Town Budget and Workplan and Provide Feedback on the Proposed Draft FY 2026-27 Budget. The Council’s discussion and acceptance of this item is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act, because it does not involve an activity which has the potential to cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 21065).
Given all the headwinds against climate action that we face coming from the Federal government, it is imperative that we maintain forms of local funding for climate initiatives. We do appreciate that the proposed budget maintains the current level of expenditures for the Climate Action Fund, but drawing from reserves to do that is not sustainable. We urge the Council to restore the funding to, at a minimum, current expenditure levels.
It is unfair and unwise that the climate fund will be cut at a higher percentage than any other budget item and any prior years unspent funds will be taken away. Dollars spent on reducing emissions will prevent future expenditures from weather related disasters. I appreciate all the town has done to lower emissions contributing to this existential threat we face. Other jurisdictions have followed our lead. We cannot stop leading now. Cutting the Climate fund or its savings is a grave mistake.
Given all the headwinds against climate action that we face coming from the Federal government, it is imperative that we maintain forms of local funding for climate initiatives. We do appreciate that the proposed budget maintains the current level of expenditures for the Climate Action Fund, but drawing from reserves to do that is not sustainable. We urge the Council to restore the funding to, at a minimum, current expenditure levels.
It is unfair and unwise that the climate fund will be cut at a higher percentage than any other budget item and any prior years unspent funds will be taken away. Dollars spent on reducing emissions will prevent future expenditures from weather related disasters. I appreciate all the town has done to lower emissions contributing to this existential threat we face. Other jurisdictions have followed our lead. We cannot stop leading now. Cutting the Climate fund or its savings is a grave mistake.