Rochester kicks off the 2027-28 city budget process with an online survey and multiple opportunities for residents to share their priorities

Rochester, New York – The City of Rochester has started its process of preparing the budget for the 2027-28 fiscal year, giving residents several opportunities to share their views on how city money should be spent.

Mayor Malik D. Evans announced the launch of an online public survey as the first major step in the annual budget process. The city is also planning a series of in-person outreach events and a live Telephone Town Hall where residents can discuss their priorities directly with city officials.

The public input will be used as officials develop the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2027, and runs through June 30, 2028.

City officials are asking residents and other community stakeholders to take part early in the process. The goal is to collect feedback before the proposed budget is completed and sent to City Council for consideration.

“The City budget is more than a spending plan,” said Mayor Evans. “It is a commitment to our values and priorities. It reflects difficult choices driven by the same shifting economic and social conditions that affect households and businesses across Rochester. It’s important to me that community members understand how our budget is developed and are able to weigh in on what services and programs should be prioritized.”

Evans has continued a practice that began during his first year as mayor by seeking public input near the beginning of the budget process rather than waiting until the spending plan is nearly finished.

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That early feedback is expected to help shape the budget proposal that will eventually go before the Rochester City Council. According to the city, the budget will be submitted to the council in May 2027, with final approval expected in June.

The online survey opened September 15 and will remain available on the city website through November 9. Residents and other stakeholders can use the digital form to rank a variety of city services and programs according to their priorities.

The survey covers major areas of city government, including public safety and youth services. It also asks participants to consider other investments that could affect quality of life in Rochester.

The city’s Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, will supplement the online survey with face-to-face opportunities. Staff members will attend several community events where residents can take part in hands-on activities and provide their thoughts about the upcoming spending plan.

The first scheduled event is the Community Resource Fair, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at 63 Thomas St.

The city will then gather feedback at the ROC the Block Community Employment Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. That event will be held at Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St.

Another opportunity will come during the MVP Healthcare Fall Festival, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, also at Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St.

Residents on the west side of the city will have an opportunity to participate at the Westside Farmers Market from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. The market will be held in the parking lot of St. Monica’s Church at 831 Genesee St.

The outreach schedule will continue at the Rochester Public Market from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at 280 N. Union St.

The city is also planning a Telephone Town Hall later in October. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, and will give thousands of Rochester residents the opportunity to participate in a live discussion by phone.

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Mayor Evans and senior members of his staff are expected to take part in the Telephone Town Hall. Residents who want to participate can sign up through the city’s website.

The combination of online, in-person and telephone options is intended to give residents different ways to participate. People who cannot attend one of the scheduled community events can submit their views through the online survey, while those who prefer a direct conversation will have the chance to join the Telephone Town Hall.

The budget process will continue for several months after the initial public outreach. City officials will use the information collected from residents as they work on the spending plan for the next fiscal year.

The proposed 2027-28 city budget is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2027. It will then go to City Council for consideration, with final approval planned for June.

The city’s budget determines how public funds are allocated across a wide range of services and programs. The public survey gives Rochester residents a chance to identify the areas they believe should receive attention as officials begin putting together the next spending plan.

Residents interested in taking part can find information about the budget process, the online survey, the scheduled outreach events and registration for the Telephone Town Hall on the City of Rochester’s budget website.