FY 2026-27 Operating Budget and Structural Deficit
Hayward
Summary
The city is running a 13.82% vacancy rate with 135 open positions as a deficit-reduction strategy. Union reps described burnout, a closed library Monday, and part-timers losing up to a third of their pay. Councilmembers said the smaller workforce may be the 'new normal.'
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 2, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $12 million in vacancy savings is budgeted; a full-day budget work session is set for Saturday, February 28.
The city's bottom line in the short term.
City workers facing burnout, library users losing Monday service, and part-timers losing up to 33% of pay.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council — June 2, 2026
Hayward adopted a balanced $249 million general fund budget, but it leans on one-time money and still carries a $30 million structural deficit. Labor unions made concessions to get there, and the budget doesn't count on any new business license tax revenue until voters approve it.
City Council — April 21, 2026
Hayward is closing a budget deficit by deferring cost-of-living raises across every bargaining group — and management, the city attorney, clerk, and manager are deferring theirs too. Council members stressed services won't change, but full recovery will take a couple of years.
City Council — February 24, 2026
The city is running a 13.82% vacancy rate with 135 open positions as a deficit-reduction strategy. Union reps described burnout, a closed library Monday, and part-timers losing up to a third of their pay. Councilmembers said the smaller workforce may be the 'new normal.'
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