City Budgets

AwardsGFOA Triple Crown Award Winner

 The City of Cotati is recognized at both the national and state level for producing clear, transparent, and easy-to-understand budget and financial documents. The City has earned these awards for excellence in budgeting and financial reporting, and together they qualify Cotati for the GFOA Triple Crown Award, which recognizes communities that have achieved all three of the GFOA’s highest honors, making Cotati the only city in Sonoma County to receive this distinction. Find out more here.

Budgets

The City’s budget is the primary policy and planning document adopted by the City Council and serves as the financial roadmap for the community's. Developed in accordance with the City’s financial management policies and best practices, the budget translates the City Council’s goals and priorities into a clear plan for how public resources are invested to serve the community. More than a financial document, the budget functions as:

  • A long-range planning tool, 
  • An annual operating and service delivery guide, and
  • A transparent communication tool for residents, businesses, and stakeholders

While adjustments may occur as needs arise, the adopted budget establishes a clear framework for decision-making over the budget period and provides accountability for how the City delivers services. Guiding principles are used throughout the budget development process to ensure the City operates within its means, maintains essential services, strategically enhances service delivery, and upholds a strong commitment to transparency and fiscal stewardship.

Check out our budget award certificates here: GFOA Budget Presentation Awards  & CSMFO Operating Budget Excellence Award

Strategic & Forward-Thinking Budgeting


In a significant milestone for the organization, in June of 2025, the City of Cotati adopted its first-ever two-year budget, reinforcing the City’s commitment to thoughtful, long-term planning. Moving to a multi-year budget allows the City to take a more strategic and forward-looking approach that better aligns financial decisions with community goals, identifying priorities earlier, and improves the City’s ability to plan for both opportunities and challenges.

This approach strengthens financial stability, supports more informed policy discussions, and ensures that limited resources are directed toward the programs, services, and capital investments that matter most to the Cotati community.

Cotati's Accessible Digital Budget Book


The Administrative Services Department is proud to offer the City’s budget in a modern, accessible, and user-friendly digital format. Cotati’s online budget book transforms the traditional budget from a static PDF into an interactive experience designed for residents, policymakers, and staff alike. 

Click Here to see for yourself.

Key features include:

  • Interactive visuals and charts
  • Mobile-friendly and ADA-optimized design
  • Easy navigation by fund, department, and program
  • Clear presentation of capital projects and long-term trends

Users may also generate customized PDF versions by selecting specific sections of the budget, which are delivered directly by email within minutes which make it easier than ever to explore, understand, and share the City’s financial plan.

Award-Winning Budgets


The City of Cotati is proud to be the recipient of EIGHT consecutive budget excellence awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), including the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Operating Budget Excellence Award.

These awards represent a significant achievement and reflect the City Council’s leadership and staff’s dedication to excellence in public finance. To earn these recognitions, the City’s budget must meet rigorous, nationally recognized standards demonstrating that it serves effectively as:

  • A policy document
  • A financial plan
  • An operations guide
  • A communication tool

Cotati’s continued recognition underscores the City’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and best-in-class budgeting practices in service of the community.

What is a City Budget?

Current Year Digital Budget

Budget in Brief (English and Spanish)