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Residents urge council to prioritize existing funds, question size of proposed tax increase
Summary
Public commenters at the May 5 meeting urged the council to use surplus funds and alternative revenue sources rather than a large property tax increase, noting fixed‑income residents would be disproportionately affected.
During the Open Session, residents urged the City Council to reconsider or scale back the proposed property tax increase and to explore alternative revenues or use of surplus funds. Bob Scott told the Council it should treat a property tax increase as a last resort and asked staff to consider other ways to raise the roughly $683,088 being proposed for public safety. "If the entire surplus could not be used, perhaps a portion of it could be used in addition to a smaller property tax increase," he said.
John Johannes Meyer echoed concerns about burdening fixed‑income residents and said lifesaving services should be prioritized without defaulting to a tax increase. Joseph West praised the conservative budgeting approach. The public input prompted Council members to request further options and public‑opinion surveying before finalizing any tax decision.
