Council debates using one‑time funds or a property‑tax increase to fund police and fire hires

City Administrator Scott Darrington and Finance Director Denise Roy framed the FY2027 budget discussion as informational and preparatory rather than a decision point. Roy said sales‑tax revenue has increased slightly but not at previous rates, and staff are showing personnel cost drivers including a proposed 2.4% cost‑of‑living adjustment and a 2.35% merit pool for employees.

Roy and Darrington described a proposal to ask voters about a property‑tax increase to fund three full‑time firefighters and two full‑time police officers; the packet showed the all‑in cost (payroll, benefits, retirement). "If there is support to move forward, the Truth in Taxation process will occur," Darrington said, describing the required public notice and hearing. Council members pressed for alternatives: Council Member Steve Rogers asked why known multi‑year lease obligations (dash cams/tasers) were presented as one‑time capital rather than budgeted ongoing costs and urged moving known contract costs into the operating budget.

Council debated using roughly $1 million in projected one‑time General Fund balances versus a recurring revenue increase (Council Member Rogers cited an estimated $683,000 in additional revenue from the proposed property‑tax increase). Members asked staff for: a four‑year history of one‑time funds and actuals; a clearer differentiation between short‑term lease obligations and ongoing costs; and an educational packet with charts and peer‑city comparisons for any Truth in Taxation outreach. Staff committed to return with the requested analysis on April 14, 2026.