The city of Sedona is inviting local residents to apply for the Citizen Budget Work Group (CBWG), a volunteer body tasked with providing community insight into the development of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 annual budget. Applications for this important role are due by November 12, 2026, as Google News: Sedona city council reported.
The CBWG functions as a community sounding board throughout the extensive budget planning process. Its primary responsibilities include reviewing detailed information and formulating recommendations, particularly concerning the prioritization of capital projects and requests for new or increased funding. This group offers additional insight into community priorities, which is then considered by city staff, the City Manager, and the City Council during budget development.
While the CBWG plays a vital advisory role, it is not a decision-making body. Its recommendations are ultimately reviewed by the City Manager and the City Council. The work group does not cover the entirety of the city’s budget, specifically excluding base budgets—the funding required to maintain a consistent level of service—which are handled internally by staff and the City Manager. Additionally, the CBWG does not set new program, service, or funding priorities; rather, it provides feedback on existing proposals.
The CBWG will consist of seven volunteers who must commit to attending at least four of the five required meetings scheduled between December 2026 and April 2027. Attendance at City Council planning meetings is also encouraged. The city expresses a preference for residents with prior experience serving on city boards, commissions, councils, or other work groups, as well as those who have participated in the Citizens Academy.
The tentative schedule for the CBWG’s engagement begins in December 2026. The first required meeting is set for December 9, 2026, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. This session will focus on introductions, a discussion of roles, responsibilities, and expectations, and a high-level explanation of the budget from city staff, including a question-and-answer period. An optional City Council Retreat is slated for two full days, December 15-16, 2026, which volunteers are encouraged to attend.
Moving into the new year, the second required meeting will take place on January 19, 2027, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. This session will feature staff presentations covering the budget process, accounting rules, and a recap of the FY27 budget. Discussions will also include direction from the Council Retreat, findings from the National Community Survey, and an overview of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
A subsequent required meeting on January 28, 2027, from 12 to 4:30 p.m., will be dedicated to a more in-depth discussion of Capital Improvement Projects and priority setting. Project managers and department directors will provide detailed information about upcoming projects for the group’s review. The fourth required session, a full day on February 18, 2027, will involve a comprehensive review of Decision Packages, which are detailed proposals for new programs or new and increased spending. Department directors and staff leads will present these packages to the CBWG.
The work group's formal engagement concludes with a required meeting on March 15, 2027, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where members will discuss their recommendations with the City Manager for presentation to the City Council. Following this, there are several optional opportunities for CBWG members to observe the budget’s progression through the Council. These include a City Council budget work session and the presentation of CBWG recommendations on April 14, 2027, and additional City Council budget work sessions on April 21-22, 2027, which volunteers can attend for any duration.
The final stages of the budget process include optional City Council meetings for the adoption of the Tentative Budget on May 25, 2027, and the adoption of the Final Budget on June 22, 2027, both typically two-hour meetings. The CBWG’s work culminates in summarizing recommendations for the City Manager and City Council, facilitating more informed decision-making throughout the budgeting process.
Residents interested in volunteering for this significant commitment should complete the volunteer questionnaire available online. Applicants must ensure they check the interest box titled “Budget Oversight” and include any relevant background information. For further questions, individuals may contact Public Relations Analyst Kegn Hall via email at [email protected] or by phone at 928-203-5179.