Commissioners and staff clarify assessment change: reduction is from advertised figure, not a year-over-year cut

During discussion of Resolution 25-59, commissioners asked for historical context and assurance the city would not over-assess residents. One commissioner asked whether the assessment had ever been reduced; staff replied that historically the assessment "has gone up every year," and that the current reduction reflects negotiations rather than a year-over-year cut.

Commissioner Cashman raised a legal and policy question about charging 100% of the estimated assessment cost and whether the city could inadvertently overcharge if actual costs were lower. He said, in part, "I just wanna be clear ... that since we're charging a 100% of the assessment that there is no possibility that the rate will be less than a 100% ... Because if it is, then we have a a concern with the the assessment itself." City staff responded that legal limits prevent overcharging and that recent reductions in department expenses have been passed through to reduce the advertised assessment. Staff also provided numeric context: "Last year's rate was $3.98 and its new rate is going to be $4.30," and separately stated an adopted household assessment of $432; the transcript contains slight numeric variations in follow-up lines, which staff said they will reconcile for commissioners.