Westminster council directs staff to poll voters on combined fire-streets ballot measure and to test funding options

Westminster City Council members directed staff in a June 9 pre-meeting study session to proceed with public polling on a potential November 2025 ballot measure that would fund new fire stations and local street repairs.

The study-session direction came after a presentation by Chris Lindsay, assistant city manager, who introduced David Flaherty of Magellan Strategies, the consultant that conducted last year’s voter survey on fire funding. Lindsay said staff would return to council next week with draft survey questions and asked if anyone objected to moving ahead. Council members voiced no formal opposition and the meeting record shows councilors and staff agreed to proceed rapidly.

The council’s action was a forward step to gauge public support and to refine the funding approach. “A larger sample size allows us to drill down by a voter population subgroup and really understand,” David Flaherty said, noting the last survey interviewed 1,500 voters and residents. He told councilors that the political and economic environment has changed since last year and that poll results can differ from measured support without a robust education and campaign effort.

Why it matters: Councilors said…