City staff told the council that the voter‑approved street millage that has funded major neighborhood and surface projects will end with the July 2025 levy unless voters approve a renewal.

"The last levy will be this coming July of 2025," a city financial presenter said, noting the current levied rate is reduced from the previously approved 2.5 mills because of state rollbacks. Staff laid out election timing options: a quick February deadline would be required for a May 6 ballot; an August 5 date is possible (typically for primaries) and November 4 would coincide with the regular general election. Staff warned of additional election costs for special dates.

Finance staff presented revenue scenarios and said restoring the levy to 2.5 mills would generate meaningfully more revenue over a typical seven‑year term than remaining at the current rolled‑back millage; staff also noted that a longer term would increase total receipts. The city has existing bond debt tied to prior projects; staff said those obligations will remain payable from the fund and estimated the balance available for new projects after debt service at the end of the current levy period.

The presentation summarized past projects financed or enabled by the millage and related bonds—including the northwest neighborhoods reconstruction, Alpine/Third/Fairway Trails and other local work—and listed candidate projects that staff would prioritize if a renewal passed. Staff highlighted that having local funding available strengthens grant competitiveness and gives the city the ability to start projects without issuing new bonds.

Council members asked for a clearer reconciliation of past millage revenue and expenditures and for a short list of high‑priority candidate projects before authorizing placement of a renewal on the ballot. Several council members expressed support for a renewal but differed on term length and whether to seek full restoration to 2.5 mills or to renew at the current rolled‑back rate. Staff said they would refine project lists, costs and proposed ballot language and return to council with outreach materials and a recommended timetable if the council wants to proceed.

Why it matters: The millage funded major street and neighborhood reconstruction projects for several years. Without a voter‑approved renewal, the city will finish the current levy cycle and will not receive new millage revenue dedicated to streets after July 2025; staff told council that renewal decisions affect whether the city pursues pay‑as‑you‑go projects or re‑issues debt to fund large reconstructions.