Community Insights and Priorities for Your 2026 Budget - Report

Explore the 2026 Zencity National Budget Report to see what residents value most, where satisfaction falls short, and how leaders can make smarter funding decisions.

What Do Residents Think About the Budget in 2026?

Today’s budget decisions are made in an environment of heightened visibility, constrained resources, and rising expectations. Residents are paying closer attention not only to what governments fund, but to whether those investments translate into tangible outcomes in daily life. This report distills national resident input into clear signals leaders can use to navigate tradeoffs - clarifying where alignment holds, where expectations are rising, and where budget decisions carry the greatest risk or opportunity. When applied locally, this insight supports more confident allocation decisions, grounded in community voice

Download the full report here →

Zencity Supports 400+ organizations in hearing from more voices, understanding community priorities,and taking confident, data-backed action. The platform helps local governments navigate moments of change, inform strategic and annual planning, and strengthen everyday communication with residents.