Erie Proposes $87.8 Million 2027 Budget

Mayor Daria Devlin's proposal closes a nearly $15 million shortfall through spending cuts, new revenue and reserves.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Saving

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Mayor Daria Devlin proposed an approximately $87.8 million 2027 City of Erie budget, excluding pension funds, to close a projected deficit of nearly $15 million. The proposal combines departmental savings, personnel reductions, added revenue and a $6.5 million transfer from the city's fund balance.

Why it matters

The budget gap grew from contractual salary increases, inflation and added debt service costs, forcing city officials to balance spending cuts against revenue options. The proposal's mix of one-time reserves and a property tax increase shapes how Erie funds services in the coming year.

The proposal carries a 0.7% year-over-year expenditure increase against a shortfall of nearly $15 million, closed with $3 million in departmental savings, $600,000 in personnel savings, $2 million in new revenue and a $6.5 million fund balance transfer. A one-mill property tax increase, expected to generate roughly $2.8 million, is included but has not yet been approved.

The players

Daria Devlin

Mayor of Erie, who proposed the 2027 budget and launched a webpage for resident questions and feedback.

The details

The proposal closes the gap through spending cuts, increased revenue and use of existing reserves, and includes a one-mill property tax increase. Mayor Devlin also launched a dedicated budget webpage for resident questions and feedback, and plans to release explainer videos in the coming weeks.

Earlier in 2026: Personnel position eliminations were implemented.
November 4, 2026: Mayor Devlin unveiled the proposed 2027 budget.
In the coming weeks: Budget explainer videos are planned for release.

Big Picture

The administration plans to explore additional revenue options, including renewed discussions about a Home Rule Charter, as the city looks beyond this year's gap. That effort would widen Erie's revenue options if the current proposal's reliance on reserves and a property tax increase proves insufficient.

The proposed one-mill property tax increase would add to local tax obligations for property owners if adopted, generating roughly $2.8 million for the city. Residents can follow the budget through the mayor's new webpage and the explainer videos planned for the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Residents who want to weigh in on Erie's budget can use the mayor's dedicated webpage for questions and feedback. Watching for the promised explainer videos can clarify how the property tax increase and reserve transfer would affect city finances.