The Santa Rosa City Council is tackling a major budget deficit after a grueling seven-hour review session.
To plug a massive shortfall, the proposed budget utilizes $7.6 million in reserves and eliminates 28 staff positions. Officials managed to protect core public safety services for now, but city staffing is already 20% below 2008 peak levels. Without new revenue, residents are warned that an additional 59 positions could be slashed by the summer of 2027.
Those future cuts would trigger drastic reductions to local fire, police, recreation, and maintenance services.
City leaders are urging residents to stay informed and weigh in by taking the “Let’s Talk, Santa Rosa” survey.
