Auburn City Council Meeting - February 23, 2026: Mid-Year Financial Update and Proclamations
Auburn City Council Meeting - February 23, 2026
The Auburn City Council met on February 23, 2026, to recognize two proclamations, approve the consent calendar, receive a mid-year financial update, discuss city manager reports, and hear committee updates. The meeting was held at 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA.
Proclamations
- Proclamation for Women in Construction Week (March 1-7, 2026) recognizing NAWIC Sacramento Chapter 63.
- Proclamation declaring March 2026 as Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Awareness Month.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: minutes of previous meetings, investment report for quarter ending December 31, 2025, and assignment and amendment of airport ground lease (Hangar 76 to Hangar76 LLC).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Councilmember Holmes announced a co-housing project potentially providing 4-6 affordable homes and invited interested parties to contact her.
- Councilmember Amara thanked the Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council for preparedness efforts and praised the on-demand bus service, noting it accommodated 23 people on a hike.
- Councilmember expressed concern about businesses leaving Auburn and requested a summary of the economic development workshop; staff confirmed the workshop video is available on YouTube and agreed to provide a high-level summary.
- Councilmember shared positive feedback on the economic development town hall and highlighted the Placer boys and girls basketball teams advancing in playoffs.
Discussion Items
- Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year (Q2) Financial Update: Finance Director Gretchen Hoskins presented the update. The original budget of $37.1 million was adjusted to $38.6 million after Q1, and Q2 adjustments net to $38.5 million. Sales tax budget is held at $7.8 million, though a consultant suspects a decline. The general fund balance after audit is $854,000, with $362,335 unassigned after adjustments. Reserves remain unchanged at 40% of sales tax for economic contingencies and 25% of routine expenditures. The multi-year forecast shows deficits in future years, excluding capital projects, labor negotiations, and strategic plan costs. Council discussed the need for revenue diversification (e.g., annexation, TOT, hotel, cannabis) and noted that capital improvements like the recent storm drain collapse are not accommodated in the budget. The unfunded pension liability will be discussed on March 9, 2026. Council approved the resolution (vote: 5-0) to adopt Q2 budget adjustments, an updated position allocation list (including reclassification of Senior Building Inspector to Building Official), and pay schedule.
- City Manager Report: The city manager reported on the economic development town hall (75 attendees, focused on sales tax), a new vintage showroom pop-up at 131 East Plaza Street, and a storm drain collapse in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet/Ace Hardware caused by a semi-truck. An emergency repair will be brought to council.
- Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Holmes suggested exploring Certified Local Government designation to access grants.
- Committee Reports: Councilmember Amara reported sustainability committee progress on salmon restoration, plastic recycling in partnership with Rotary and Treks, and front lawn irrigation. She also noted plans to extend on-demand bus hours and launch Friday music series at Central Square (May-September). Councilmember Dalin Calvio reported on Pioneer Community Energy, Dan Olmsted tile dedication (March 4, 2026), SACOG meeting approving a $1.5 million household travel survey, and a League of Cities policy on sales tax distribution for out-of-state e-commerce. Councilmember Redell Harris reported on the Placer County air pollution control district meeting, noting uncertainty from federal environmental policy changes.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously the consent calendar and the mid-year financial update resolution.
- Council directed staff to provide a summary of the economic development workshop.
- An emergency action for storm drain repair will be presented at the next meeting.
- Council will discuss unfunded pension liability options on March 9, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good evening, everyone. We will call this regular session of the Auburn City Council to order here on February 23rd, 2026. Councilmember Holmes, please lead us in. Oh, roll call. Councilmember Amara. Present. Down in Calvio. Present. Holmes. Redell Harris. Here. And Mayor Davis. Here. Thank you. Councilmember Holmes, do you lead us in the pledge? One day for. All right. Thank you very much. We have two proclamations tonight. If I can first invite Emily. I think I'm doing well. All right. Tonight we have a proclamation for women in Construction Week for the National Association of Women in Construction. Whereas the National Association of Women in Construction, NAWIC, Sacramento Chapter 63 has distinguished itself for 60 plus years as the voice of women in construction in the Sacramento region. And whereas the work done by the Sacramento Chapter of NAWIC has benefited the Sacramento region through community development and education programs. And whereas the Sacramento chapter of NAWIC has unceasingly promoted the employment and advancement of women in the construction industry. And whereas the construction community, represented by Sacramento chapter of NW NAWIC, has been a driving force in fostering community development through renovation and beautification projects, promotion of skilled trade careers, and a positive vision of the future. And whereas the Sacramento chapter of NAWIC has sought to achieve successful results for the Sacramento region and surrounding areas in a cooperative spirit with other organizations. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Mayor Kelly Davis, on behalf of the Auburn City Council, do hereby recognize the National Association of Women in Construction, Sacramento Chapter 63 and its many dedicated volunteers for its steadfast work on behalf and support of women in construction, and do proudly proclaim the week of March 1st through the 7th, 2026 as women in construction week, and encourage our citizens to congratulate the organization on its many accomplishments. Thank you very much. Do you need a little bit of a bottom take a break? Thank you very much. Congratulations. As someone who is a woman who started her career in construction, I would like to say extra congratulations, because you're not all there's not always a lot of women out there on the construction site with you. So uh it take it, there's some pretty awesome women in construction out there. So congratulations. And Dirk and Donna Fry. Sounds a little bit uplifting, and I'm very sorry for your loss, but thank you for being here. Tonight we have a proclamation for sudden unexplained death in childhood awareness month. Whereas sudden unexplained death in childhood is a category of death in children under over the age of 12 months that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation, including an autopsy. And whereas each year, there are approximately 500 cases of SUDC in the United States, including more than 200 younger children between the ages of one and four who die without any clear cause or explanation. And whereas, while less common than sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, which occurs before the first birthday, SUDC is an important health concern deserving of increased public awareness and research. And whereas SUDC is the fifth leading category of death among children ages one to four in the United States. And whereas there currently is no known way to predict or prevent SUDC, as its causes are unknown. And whereas continued research and awareness efforts are vital to uncovering the causes of SUDC and identifying ways to prevent these tragic losses in the future. And whereas we recognize the dedicated efforts of organizations such as the SUDC Foundation, medical professionals, meety medical medical legal death investigators, and volunteers who are working to better understand the causes of SUDC, improve the health of infants and children, and provide much needed hope and support for those families grieving the heartbreaking sudden and unexplained death of a child. And whereas sudden unexplained death in childhood awareness month provides an opportunity to honor the memory of young lives that ended too soon. Show encouragement and support for the families and loved ones devastated by their loss. Increase public awareness of SUDC and the need for ongoing research efforts in search of answers.
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