Here at Columbia Association (CA), we believe that our organization’s budget is a tangible demonstration of our priorities and values. This is when CA’s Board of Directors determines investments in CA’s programs and services, allocates funds for capital projects and sets limits for the Annual Charge and membership rates. Approving CA’s budget is one of the key tasks and biggest responsibilities the Board undertakes every year.
The budget input and approval process culminates in late February when the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is approved. CA’s annual budgets begin on May 1 and end April 30 the following year. That means Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026) begins on May 1, 2025. Click here to access past budgets and financial information.
The FY 2026 process includes a number of opportunities for our community to provide feedback on what you would like to see prioritized at CA. That includes a combination of online surveys, virtual information sessions and Board meetings and work sessions.
We’ve seen hundreds of people provide their input over the last couple of years, most for the first time. Residents, community groups, advisory committees and village boards are all encouraged to participate!
FY 2026 details will get more defined as we get closer to the final budget approval, which means the scope narrows as the Board moves through this process. The earlier you get involved, the more impact you can have on the final budget. It’s important to us that your priorities are heard!
The engagement process started on August 19 when we ask for the community’s priorities through an online survey. The Board started discussions about FY 2026 in late September before narrowing down top priorities the following month.
The Board is scheduled to start discussing FY 2026 during its regularly scheduled meeting on September 26. The Board is set to narrow down top priorities and vote on those at the meeting on October 24. You’re always welcome to participate in Resident Speakout, which happens at the start of every Board meeting. Those meetings are also live streamed and recorded on YouTube.
CA staff is now in the process of reviewing the Board’s approved priorities and the community’s input before publishing draft allocations for the FY26 capital budget and proposed operating budget priorities in a preliminary budget workbook (click here). During a regularly scheduled meeting on November 14, the Board will discuss the high-level proposed budget projections.
This was followed by another online feedback opportunity beginning on November 15. Additionally, the CA team hosted a virtual information session on November 18 that has been recorded and posted on the organization’s YouTube page (click here).
The Board will vote on the draft capital allocations and the draft operating budget priorities (including annual charge rate and cap and membership rate guidance) on December 12. At that point, CA staff will work through the new year to draft a budget for the Board’s consideration and approval.
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