Achieving financial sustainability is essential for municipalities to build long-term economic resilience and enhance the well-being of their communities. Effective stakeholder engagement—involving residents, businesses, and local organizations—strengthens public trust, promotes collaboration, a and aligns stakeholders toward shared financial goals. Elected officials face increasingly complex challenges, including growth pressures, housing and homelessness and community safety issues. Financial sustainability provides a foundation for addressing these issues strategically. At the same time, mastering community engagement techniques empowers councils to collaborate effectively with constituents, fostering meaningful dialogue that shapes decisions both in the short and long term. Combining sustainability with engagement helps municipalities navigate challenges while ensuring transparent, inclusive, and impactful governance.