2026 budget process kicks off with string of work sessions Monday

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- City leaders will take the first step toward finalizing next year's budget with the first of multiple work sessions lined up for this evening at City Hall.

Monday's work session from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. marks the first of four public budget meetings scheduled at City Hall over the next eight days. A final budget for fiscal year 2025-26 is expected to be approved in early June.

The introductory meeting will provide an overview of next year's spending plan, including discussions on fund balances, policy considerations and capital projects. St. Joseph's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

The year's budgeting process will be the first for City Manager Mike Schumacher since he was hired last December, but far from the career-first for Schumacher, a veteran city administrator with a strong background in fiscal management.

News-Press NOW will update this story.