Committee schedules special session, asks staff to provide levy draft and budget numbers

Finance & Administration Chair Johnson said the committee should allow adequate time to consider levy and budget materials rather than rushing a complex, numbers‑heavy discussion late in a regular meeting. The mayor and staff proposed a 90‑minute slot for the budget presentation with backup slides and Q&A. "We will have numbers for you," staff said, promising revenue projections and draft wording for a potential levy resolution.

Committee members discussed whether the levy matter should be a discussion item or simply brought forward as a draft resolution for later consideration; the mayor and staff clarified the current plan is to present the draft resolution wording for discussion, not to ask the council to adopt any levy that night. Chair Johnson noted budget adoption remains months away and emphasized that any levy decision would follow additional review and debate.

To provide time for staff and outside counsel as needed, the committee agreed unanimously to convert the planned roundtable into a special meeting starting at 4:30 p.m. before the regular 7 p.m. session so the committee can hold an executive session with outside counsel if desired and complete a thorough budget and levy discussion. Administration said external counsel availability and staff resources are constrained and asked members to route detailed follow‑up questions through the mayor to manage outside counsel budget and scope.