COF 2026-116 · Agenda item attachment · Sep 14 2026

COF 2026-116 FIRST IN COUNCIL September 14, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI A Communication from Councillors Nolan and Al-Zubi Regarding a Proposed Schedule for Budget Related Finance Committee Hearings A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge A Communication from Councillors Nolan and Al-Zubi Regarding a Proposed Schedule for Budget Related Finance Committee Hearings

CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL To:​ Cambridge City Council From: ​Finance Co-chairs, Councillor Patricia Nolan and Councillor Ayah Al-Zubi Date: ​ September 10, 2026 Subject: Proposed Schedule for Budget Related Finance Committee Hearings FY28 ______________________________________________________________________________ Dear colleagues, As co-chairs of the Finance Committee, we are providing an update on upcoming meetings so that we may have a productive and collaborative year and FY28 budget cycle. We intend to build on the work of previous budget cycles, including FY27, which offered the council and the community opportunities to give input before the budget was presented and essentially finalized. Our goal is to continue to have meetings held earlier in the fiscal year to better plan on budget priorities and for long-term planning. Continuing to hold meetings in the fall will allow for more constructive input into the formation of the FY28 budget. We are grateful to you, our colleagues, and to the City Manager for the commitment to goal-setting this term and we hope that the transparency provided through the budget process will help us further this collaboration. Consistent with our obligations under the City Charter, the City Council and City Manager will jointly carry out a series of financial updates regarding the City's financial condition, revenue and expenditure forecasts, and other relevant financial information prior to the submission of the City Manager's proposed budget (Charter §6-2). Additionally, the City Council is required to develop and publish its budgetary priorities before the end of this calendar year, reflecting our policy guidance and objectives for the FY28 budget. The City Manager's proposed budget will then outline how it is consistent with those published priorities (Charter §6-3). At least one public meeting on the proposed budget will also be scheduled as required by law (Charter §6-4). The proposed calendar below reflects these City Charter requirements. We hope this calendar reflects a shared commitment to transparency and collaboration in budget formation. If you have any questions or comments on this schedule, please let us know. Sincerely, Patricia Nolan City Councillor Finance Committee Co-Chair Ayah Al-Zubi City Councillor Finance Committee Co-Chair 1

TENTATIVELY PROPOSED FINANCE CALENDAR 2026-2027* * includes Finance Committee meetings, Roundtable meetings, and Special Meetings September 28, 2026: Tax Rate Hearing, Special Meeting of the City Council. This tax rate hearing will set the tax rate for the FY27 Budget. The hearing will be preceded by a dedicated business community meeting to facilitate discussion in advance of the formal hearing. October - November: -​ Joint Roundtable Meeting with the School Committee to discuss macroeconomic trends as well as FY28 Budget projections and targets -​ Roundtable Meeting to discuss Economic Development within the City of Cambridge -​ Roundtable Meeting to discuss City-owned properties December: Finance Committee Meeting to discuss City Council Budget Priorities January: Finance Committee Meeting to preview the FY28 Operating Budget February: Finance Committee Meeting to preview the FY28 Capital Budget March: Finance Committee Meeting to preview the FY28 Cambridge Police Department Budget Late April: FY28 Budget Submission at Regular City Council Meeting May: Finance Committee Meetings over several days to review the FY28 Budget June: FY28 Budget Adoption at Regular City Council Meeting 2