City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MORGAN ROUTT, DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Resolution to Delegate Authority to the City Manager to consent to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) budget transfers between state classifications of up to and including $500,000.
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council delegation of authority to the City Manager to consent to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) budget transfers between state classifications of up to and including $500,000.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council delegate authority to the City Manager to consent to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) budget transfers between state classifications of up to and including $500,000.
BACKGROUND: On March 10, 2026, City Council adopted Resolution 3368 stating City Council’s intent to “appropriate the Alexandria City Public Schools (School Board) funding for FY 2028 based on the major classifications as delineated by the Code of Virginia” and directing ACPS to “submit an estimate of the amount of money deemed to be needed for FY2028 for each major classification as delineated by the Code of Virginia” and “submit a report of all its expenditures and such information as may be deemed advisable in preparation of the FY2028 budget”. Appropriating the ACPS budget by classifications in FY 2028 would require that ACPS budget transfers between classifications receive City Council consent. Transfers within classifications would not require City Council consent.
Over the summer, City staff coordinated with ACPS staff and a subcommittee of the City Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC) and ACPS Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) to develop recommendations for changes to the FY 2028 operating budget process to implement the resolution.
On September 8, 2026, City staff presented its recommendations to City Council, including a proposal to delegate authority to the City Manager to consent to ACPS budget transfers between classifications of up to and including $500,000 on behalf of City Council and to report to City Council on the transfers to facilitate the efficient operation of the schools without delays resulting from the need to docket all such transfers.
DISCUSSION: The effect of this resolution would be to:
1. Enable ACPS to continue day-to-day operations without having to wait for City Council to consider transfers between classifications at a future meeting,
2. Delegate to the City Manager the authority to consent to any transfers deemed to be consistent with the intent of the original appropriation or identify and docket for City Council to consent to any transfers that may be inconsistent with the intent of the original appropriations, and
3. Inform City Council of all transfers consented to by the City Manager, including the nature of those transfers, as an added layer of oversight.
If approved, this resolution would go into effect with the start of FY 2028 on July 1, 2027.
Resolution 3368 and this resolution are intended specifically for the ACPS operating budget. They do not apply to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct cost associated with this delegation of authority.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
STAFF:
Kevin C. Greenlief, Director, Department of Finance
Amanda Hamm, Assistant Director, Office of Management & Budget
David Lanier, Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office
Consuella Barbour, Budget & Management Analyst, Office of Management & Budget