City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MORGAN ROUTT, DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Establish FY 2027 Budget Guidance.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to Establish FY 2027 Budget Guidance.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the FY 2027 Budget Guidance Resolution (Attachment). This resolution will provide guidance to the City Manager to be used in the preparation of the Proposed FY 2027 Operating Budget and Proposed FY 2027 to FY 2036 Capital Improvement Program to be presented on February 24, 2026, for City Council consideration.
BACKGROUND: The attachment in this docket reflects guidance adopted in prior resolutions, updated with FY 2027 budget development information. The City Council Retreat was held on November 1, 2025, at which time staff presented an economic outlook and estimated budget gap for FY 2027 not including supplemental funding requests from departments and other agencies, or capital project increases beyond the current funding plan.
DISCUSSION: City Council has since the FY 2007 budget process annually adopted a resolution that provides the City Manager with guidance for the preparation of the forthcoming budget and 10-year Capital Improvement Program. The proposed Budget Guidance Resolution for the FY 2027 Operating Budget and FY 2027 to FY 2036 Capital Improvement Program reflects many of the same principles and features as the FY 2026 Council adopted Budget Guidance Resolution with the following changes:
• Approach budget development with fiscal prudence, honoring prior commitments while preserving essential services in alignment with City Council’s priorities.
• Partner agencies should limit base budget increases to non-discretionary items only and self-fund supplemental budget requests.
• The City Manager shall develop options for recommended funding of proposed public school capital needs for the FY 2027 - FY 2036 time period that does not exceed the levels of- or timing of funding for school capital needs that was included in the previously approved FY 2026 - FY 2035 City Council capital improvement program. The City Manager may recommend reductions or deferrals to these previously approved funding levels, in consultation with Schools’ staff, that reflect the readiness of previously planned projects. The Alexandria City Public Schools is requested by City Council to provide the funding and timing implications of using the Cora Kelly project to address middle school capacity concerns.
• The Alexandria City Public Schools is requested by City Council to submit a budget proposal that indicates the level of service to be provided at the City Manager’s target operating transfer increase of no more than one and a half percent and debt service funding required to fund the FY 2027-FY 2036 CIP
• The Alexandria City Public Schools is requested by City Council to articulate in general categories and prioritize any City FY 2027 appropriation requests above the one and a half percent operating budget transfer target
• The Alexandria City Public Schools is strongly encouraged by City Council to evaluate all capital projects with an anticipated construction contract value of $35 million or higher for the feasibility of utilizing a project labor agreement, with the intent of using a project labor agreement if deemed feasible.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2027 General Fund Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2027 to FY 2036 Budget Guidance Resolution.
STAFF:
Amanda Hamm, Assistant Director, Management and Budget.