Budget development process for fiscal year 2026-27

Welcome to the 2026-27 budget process page. This webpage will be updated with relevant budget messages, presentations, instructions and timelines as we plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The fiscal year 2026-27 budget process will focus on how to be good stewards of our resources in service to our community, while addressing the college operating deficit. Pending future resource availability, there may be the potential to strategically invest in key areas.

Information on the purpose and content of phases of the budget processes is also available in the Business Services Knowledge Base:

2026-27 Budget FAQ
2026-27 Budget Manual (coming soon)

Budget Timeline

2025

July-September: Ideas assessment of financial position of the College and completion of the FY 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
October-November: Finalization of Fall forecast for November Board Presentation.
December: Base budget development for materials and personnel costing occurs. Budget directions related to the forecast shortfall are finalized.

2026

January 16: All-staff budget meeting (Zoom link coming soon).
January 22: Base budget kick-off held. This is a recorded session for technical instructions for budget development.
January 30: No later than January 30 the base budget templates for all funds will be available to division and department leadership.
February-March: Budget Advisory Subgroup (BAS) meetings begin, meetings conclude in mid-April.
During April: Recommendations and additional opportunities for inputs into the process are finalized and presented to the Executive Team.
May 1: Proposed budget book is published and available online.
May 13: Budget Committee meeting–first read of the budget.
May 20: Budget Committee meeting–second read, opportunity for public testimony, and budget approval occurs.
June 24: Final opportunity for public testimony and the Board of Education formally adopts the FY 2025-26 Budget.

Unit Plan Requests

As part of the college’s annual unit planning, budget originators are asked to identify operating gaps in current resource levels as well as submit requests for new resources during upcoming budget deliberations. Funding any request for new resources is only feasible if there is operating budget capacity or a deliberate decision to internally realign existing funds. These requests are analyzed for financial implications, alignment with college core mission, strategic plan, and DEI goals. This work occurs with input from the Budget Advisory Group (BAG), budget originators, and other program support staff throughout the spring.