Council discusses fire operating levy renewal and urges support for state infrastructure amendment; early voting under way

Fairview Park — In roundtable discussion on April 28, Mayor Schneider and councilmembers raised the status of the city’s fire operating levy and local and state ballot items.

The mayor explained the existing five-year fire operating levy is tied to a fixed amount (about $300,000) that has eroded in purchasing power over decades. "The problem with the levy is it's tied to about $300,000… As the years progress, that $300,000 doesn't pay for 8 firefighters; it pays for maybe 2 and a half," he said. The mayor said the city intends to renew the levy if necessary but may treat the next renewal as the final standalone renewal; the city is considering folding the levy’s funding needs into a broader charter-based levy in 2029 to avoid repeated five-year levies.

Separately, Councilmember Troy reminded residents that early voting had begun and urged support for the state public infrastructure capital improvement amendment on the ballot, saying the program is bipartisan and has supported local infrastructure projects. Councilmembers also noted the upcoming filing deadline for financial-disclosure statements and other legislative priorities being tracked by staff.

No formal votes were taken on the levy or ballot measures at the meeting; councilmembers flagged the topics for future discussion and outreach.