During a recent city commission meeting, discussions centered on the proposed budget and the potential for tax rate adjustments, with a particular focus on the mill levy. Commissioner Strand advocated for maintaining the mill rate at 55, suggesting that this would provide a foundation for potential reductions in the future. He expressed skepticism about the likelihood of achieving further cuts, citing a lack of confidence based on past experiences over his 15 years in office. Strand emphasized the burden on taxpayers, referencing an 11% increase in the budget and urging fellow commissioners to support option B, which would keep the mill rate at 55.

The conversation also touched on the implications of the budget on the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for city employees. While the current proposal suggests a 3.5% COLA, there is hope among some commissioners that through budget reductions, this could be increased to 4.5%. Commissioner Turnberg highlighted the importance of addressing workforce retention and recruitment challenges, noting that departments had previously identified these as top priorities.

Commissioners discussed the need for fiscal restraint, with one member recalling experiences in the private sector where financial tightening was necessary. There was a consensus on the importance of prioritizing staff and core services over non-essential expenditures. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussions on budget reductions and a commitment to reassess spending priorities to better serve the community while alleviating taxpayer fatigue.