San Ramon's $85.3M Budget Reveals Growing Dependence on Measure N as Structural Deficit Looms

San Ramon's City Council got its clearest look yet at the fiscal tightrope ahead: a preliminary budget that projects $85.3 million in general fund revenue against $76.8 million in expenditures — numbers that look healthy only because Measure N sales tax revenue is papering over a $13.7 million structural deficit. In a separate debate, the council brokered a compromise to split July's commemorative flagpole between the America 250 and Disability Pride flags.

• Preliminary budget exposes $13.7M structural deficit without Measure N; expenditure growth at 6.6% still outpaces the 2.3% target needed for long-term sustainability

• City Manager warns a voter-approved revenue measure may be the only path to closing the gap before Measure N expires in FY 2035

• $10.2M capital improvement program scrutinized as tree maintenance gets zeroed out and EV charging station costs draw fire

• Council splits July flagpole between America 250 (July 1–15) and Disability Pride (July 16–Aug. 17) flags after public speakers and written comments push for disability representation

• Public commenters challenge budget strategy, calling sales taxes regressive and demanding real cost cuts over cost containment

• Public works team honored with National Public Works Week proclamation as staff shifts to reactive maintenance under tighter budgets