City Council holds public hearings on proposed FY25-26 budget and tax rate

The City Council opened public hearings Sept. 16 on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a proposed property tax rate, hearing public comments that both supported a modest tax increase to balance the budget and opposed cuts to services such as trash and recycling pickup.

The hearings matter because the council is considering a tax-rate change tied to the budget that residents say will directly affect household costs and service levels. Council officials said no vote would be taken at the special meeting; the regular council meeting later that evening will address final action.

Residents and an emailed commenter expressed differing views during the hearings. A resident who addressed the council praised staff and department leaders for trimming spending and indicated willingness to accept a tax increase to balance the budget. “The police and fire departments really trimmed their budgets to…