Follow the Money
Where Is Mountain View's Money Going?
A simple look at the Town's finances using its own budget documents and financial reports.
The General Fund
Our Financial Cushion Is Getting Smaller
↓ 72%
Proposed General Fund balance
Comparing the 2024 actual ending balance with the
proposed 2027 ending balance.
2026 is year-to-date. 2027 figures are proposed and may change before adoption.
FY2027 Proposed General Fund
Spending More Than We Bring In
Money In
$2.25M
VS.
Money Out
$2.96M
$709K Gap
Under the proposed budget, reserves make up the difference.
2027 Proposed General Fund
Where Does $2.96 Million Go?
Proposed General Fund spending by major department.
Administration
$1.47M
49.8% of General Fund spending
Public Safety
$1.17M
39.6% of General Fund spending
Public Works
$314K
10.6% of General Fund spending
50%
Nearly half of the Town's proposed General Fund spending
falls under Administration.
Legal Costs
When Town Conflict Costs Taxpayers
Legal spending exceeded the Town's entire annual budget before the year was even half over.
2026 Legal Budget
$70,000
→
Spent By June 30
$106,327
→
2027 Proposed
$119,000
152%
of the entire 2026 legal budget was spent in just six months.
Some of the conflict came from inside Town government
A Sitting Councilmember Sued the Town
While legal expenses were already climbing, the Town was also required to defend the Town Administrator appointment in litigation brought by one of its own elected officials.
Follow the Money
The Financial Snapshot
$3.20M → $911K
General Fund trend
2024 actual → 2027 proposed
2024 actual → 2027 proposed
$709K
2027 proposed
spending gap
spending gap
$119K
2027 proposed
legal budget
legal budget
What happens next matters.
Next → How Mountain View's Government Works
Sources: Town of Mountain View financial statements, FY2026 midyear financial review,
and FY2027 proposed budget materials. Proposed and year-to-date figures are identified
as such throughout this page.