Freeport manager seeks public input for priority-based budget; board discusses packet delivery and volunteer inspections

Danielle Kelly, Freeport’s city manager, told the board that an online citizen survey is available on the city website to gather feedback from residents, business owners and others to guide this year’s priority-based budgeting. “We want to hear your voice and have your input for our budgeting process this year,” Kelly said.

Board members discussed restoring hand-delivered packets of agenda materials and attachments after several members said they did not receive full packets before the meeting. Staff said hand delivery had been cut to reduce overtime costs but offered alternatives including emailing packets, providing tablets, or allowing members to pick up printed packets at City Hall. Staff committed to evaluating budget options and to provide packets or pickup notices in advance of future meetings.

Separately, members asked whether a volunteer group could help identify problem properties. Reggie Harris, the building official, said the city would need to structure any volunteer program carefully, likely involving professionals (homebuilders, contractors) and coordination with the city manager; he also noted that some abatement actions require engineering studies and that costs for abatement are liened to the property when the city proceeds. The board asked staff to return with options and potential budget impacts.

Next steps: staff will advertise the citizen survey on the city website, evaluate options for packet delivery within budget constraints, and return with proposals for a volunteer inspection program and potential changes to demolition budgeting.