Parker's big $7B budget: More shelter beds and new fees on deliveries, ride shares

March 12, 2026 - 18:07

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has unveiled a substantial $7 billion city budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, marking her third spending proposal since taking office. The ambitious blueprint increases overall expenditures by roughly 2% over the previous year, signaling a continued aggressive agenda from the administration.

A central pillar of the proposal is a significant investment in addressing homelessness, with funding allocated to expand the availability of shelter beds across the city. This move aims to provide more immediate stability for individuals experiencing homelessness while longer-term housing solutions are developed.

To help fund these and other initiatives, the budget introduces new fees on popular services. The plan calls for charges on ride-share trips, such as those from Uber and Lyft, as well as on deliveries from major package and food services. These fees are positioned as a way to generate essential revenue from industries contributing to city congestion while supporting municipal services.

The proposal now moves to City Council for review and negotiation, where the specifics of the new fees and the final allocation of shelter funding will be debated. The budget reflects Mayor Parker's focus on tackling persistent urban challenges through both direct investment and novel fiscal measures.