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Clad in a sunshine yellow suit, Mayor Sherry Hu encouraged fellow Dubliners at the State of the City to dress in the same color during 2026 in the name of year-long optimism.
Hosted by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the annual event Feb. 24 dubbed “Growing Brighter: Dublin’s Next Chapter” attracted a crowd of government officials as well as representatives and leaders from local organizations and businesses.
“Today I want to take a moment to reflect on where we are as a city to celebrate what we have accomplished together and share where we are headed next,” Hu said before an audience at the Shannon Community Center.
Currently home to nearly 69,000 residents, Dublin has grown about 70% in the past decade, Hu said. The year-over-year growth is expected to slow as the city reaches build-out, she added.
The city comprises over 25,000 households and is one of the most diverse communities in the region with residents representing cultures from around the world.
More than half of the households speak a language other than English at home, Hu added.
“Diversity is one of Dublin’s greatest strengths,” Hu said.
Among the city’s top priorities is public safety, Hu said, giving nods during her speech to Dublin Police Services and the Alameda County Fire Department.
As the city has grown, the rate of crimes against persons has remained stable or declined, she said.
Rates of serious and violent crimes remain relatively low, she said. The city has also seen improvements in the rate of property and quality of life crimes, including in areas such as vehicle theft and shoplifting.
As for the city’s fiscal position, Hu expressed pride for its balanced budget.
“Dublin remains in a strong and stable financial position,” she said.
During the most recent fiscal year, the city’s general fund surplus was approximately $36.2 million, Hu said. Across all funds, the city’s net financial position increased by over $64 million.
“This strong fiscal position did not happen by chance,” Hu said. “It is the result of many years of responsible financial policies, thoughtful decision-making by the city council and the dedication of our city management team.”
Approximately three-quarters of the city’s general fund revenue comes from property tax, sales tax and development-related revenue, Hu explained. Although the city has seen a dip in sales tax revenue due to broader economic conditions, Dublin continues to outperform many jurisdictions across the region.
According to projections, future expenditures may outpace revenue in fiscal year 2031-32 due to an expected decreased development activities and increased contractor costs, she said.
“We remain focused on long-term stability, investing strategically, maintaining healthy reserves and ensuring that today’s decisions support tomorrow,” she said.
Residents’ sense of wellbeing is also very important, Hu added.
According to a survey conducted by the city, nearly 90% of surveyed residents said Dublin is a great place to live, 80% said it was a great place to raise a family and about 92% said they feel safe in the community.
Residents are also clear about their concerns moving forward: affordability, managing growth, traffic and long-term fiscal stability, she said. Their concerns guide the city’s priorities, Hu said.
Toward the end of the speech, Hu highlighted the city’s investments in public spaces, activities and public communication.
Dublin is home to a total of 28 parks, including newly opened areas such as Wallis Ranch Community Park.
The city also supported several cultural celebrations last year such as Odisha Dibas and Diwali. By supporting the events, the city is investing in connection and representation, Hu explained.
The city also made progress in infrastructure and facility projects such as the Dublin Arts Center and improvements along Village Parkway, she said. An additional 10 projects are in the pipeline for the coming year, she added.
“These investments in our city improve mobility and support the long-term stability of our community,” Hu said.
The city also invested in community outreach by launching a webpage on the city’s website dubbed the Dublin Buzz to provide updates on key projects and community conversations. Officials continued to distribute Dublin Digest to residents weekly to keep them informed. Development of a new city website is also underway, she added.
“I see a future filled with possibility, where families continue to thrive, businesses continue to invest and neighbors continue to connect,” Hu said. “Together, we will continue growing brighter.”
A recording of Hu’s speech is available at tri-valleytv.org.
