Finance committee weighs communications, timing for referendum to keep public-safety positions
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Summary
Staff and advisors recommended a communications plan and schedule if the city pursues a referendum to permanently fund 15 public-safety positions (13 firefighters and 2 police officers); the committee discussed timing, one-time versus ongoing funds, and whether downtown officers remain necessary if a shelter relocates.
City staff told the finance committee they are preparing for a possible referendum to fund 15 public-safety positions — 13 firefighters and two police officers — and advised that professional communications support would improve outreach and voter understanding.
Mayor and finance staff said the city faces a multiyear fiscal challenge when one-time ARPA and SAFER grant funds end; staff recommended consulting advisors and a communications firm, Miller Communications, to help with outreach and possibly a resident survey ahead of a referendum. Mary Anne, finance staff, said the city used one-time funds in past budgets and cautioned that reserves used for ongoing operations are not a permanent fix.
Committee members and advisors discussed timing and strategy. Staff said an August referendum would coincide with a statewide primary and could drown out local messaging; advising materials recommended a later schedule that allows time for public education and for the city to shape the ballot language. The council planned a committee-of-the-whole meeting to consider hiring Miller Communications and to outline a public-information campaign.
Some members raised alternatives to immediately adding levy dollars. Alder Watson argued that, if the downtown officers are a short-term need tied to downtown sheltering, one-time economic-development fund dollars could temporarily cover part of the cost rather than increasing the levy. Public-health-and-safety members asked the police chief to analyze whether both downtown officers would still be needed if a shelter operation migrates to a new site; committee members said the shelter move could reduce downtown demands on concentrated resources.
Staff noted grant and one-time funding currently underwrite some positions through 2025 and 2026; if a referendum fails, the city would need to decide whether to absorb positions into the levy, reduce services or let grant-funded positions lapse. No final referendum resolution was adopted; staff scheduled a follow-up meeting to present communications options, survey timing and ballot planning.
Ending: Committee members asked staff to meet with Miller Communications and Ehlers (financial advisors), present options at a committee-of-the-whole meeting this week, and return with draft ballot language and timing options for the next finance meeting.