Dear Xavier and Kurtis On behalf of the ccNSO Council and the SOPC, we are writing to express our concerns regarding the recently approved FY26 ICANN Budget https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-icann-budget-fy2026-publ... We note that the expected FY26 Funding and Expenses have increased from 142 million in the December 2024 draft to approximately 150 million USD in the approved Budget. While the changes are explained first by an increase in fees and the number of transactions and second by an increase in personnel costs (raising the number of FTEs) and non-personnel expenses, this insufficiently communicated change has raised concerns in the ccNSO: - The expectation that the number of transactions will increase by 3% compared to this year. - The increase in the number of personnel only one year after ICANN made significant efforts to reduce expenses, including the lay-off of staff. - That major changes were introduced after the public comment period. To avoid any misunderstandings, and considering that we are in the 21 day rejection action period, we are requesting an urgent meeting with both of you, the SOPC leadership, myself and a small group of ccNSO Councillors, to address these concerns. We appreciate your attention and look forward to your earliest availability. Best regards, Alejandra Reynoso, ccNSO Council Chair Andreas Musielak, SOPC Chair ******************************************* Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching. Sing like nobody's listening. And live like it's Heaven on Earth. *******************************************