Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bonds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council considers citizens' capital program advisory committee and timing for next bond election
Summary
City Manager Paulette told the council staff recommends forming a citizens capital program advisory committee to review streets, facilities and other capital needs and recommended a May 2026 bond election, with the committee beginning work in spring 2025 and the election to be called in February 2026.
City Manager Paulette presented a proposal Jan. 13 for a citizens capital program advisory committee to review street reconstruction and facility projects and to recommend whether to place general obligation bonds before voters in either November 2025 or May 2026.
"I would recommend holding the bond election in May of 26," Paulette said, and explained that a May 2026 election would require a council call in February 2026 and that a citizens committee would need time to inventory projects, perform field visits and develop recommendations. She recommended starting committee work in March or April 2025 to allow thorough review.
Paulette described the committee structure used for the previous bond effort: each council member appointed two residents, a council member served as chair, a co-chair was designated, and the panel in the last cycle grew to about 30 members and met frequently. She said the committee would present its recommended project list at an open meeting to the council before any decision to call an election and that staff would prepare voter education materials after the council calls an election detailing projected property tax impacts and project timelines.
Council members asked about public outreach, with several supporting town halls and public meetings and an oversight committee after project approval to maintain transparency during construction. One council member noted that bond propositions can be structured by category (for example streets separate from facilities) and Paulette confirmed that propositions can be broken out by project type as long as each proposition clearly describes its purpose.
Clarifying details from staff: the proposed bond advisory committee would follow the city's prior model of resident appointments (two per council member), the committee work would include field trips and review of project costs, and staff recommended allowing roughly a year of committee work before a May 2026 election. Paulette also said staff would return with a set-up ordinance and appointment list after councilmembers submit nominee names.
Ending: Council expressed general support for creating a committee and agreed to begin identifying nominees; staff will return with an item for council consideration in late February or early March to set up the committee and begin appointments.
