05/06/2026
The tentative budget was presented tonight, which means the Council’s budget deliberations begin.
This is where the public process matters most.
In our form of government, the roles of Mayor and Council are very different. The Mayor proposes an operating budget. The Council reviews it, asks questions, solicits feedback from residents, sets the policy direction, and ultimately decides what the final budget will be.
That is not conflict. That is the process working as intended.
A city budget is more than numbers on a page. It reflects our priorities: public safety, roads, infrastructure, parks, staffing, services such as bulk waste pickup, affordability, and long-term financial responsibility.
Council members should not be pressured, threatened, or framed as difficult simply for taking that responsibility seriously.
I know some would rather turn a procedural disagreement into a public spectacle. But leadership is not about creating drama and then inviting people to watch it. Leadership is staying focused on the work.
There may be distractions along the way, but my focus will remain where it belongs: carefully reviewing a nearly $200 million budget and making sure the final version reflects the needs and priorities of Sandy residents.