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Council members say raising millage is needed to avoid deep service cuts
Summary
Councilmembers and staff described a structural budget shortfall driven by appeals and rising costs, saying the choice was to cut services or raise the millage. They emphasized preserving public safety and other services.
Councilmembers and city staff told the June 4 public hearing that the proposed millage increase is intended to avoid cuts to city services after months of budget review and line‑item freezes.
"Do we cut services or do we raise the millage rates?" a council member asked during the discussion, summarizing the trade‑off the council faced. The council member said they had spent six months reviewing the budget and that residents told them they wanted services preserved.
Kristen, a city staff member, and councilmembers pointed to rising operating costs — particularly for public safety — as a key driver. Kristen said staffing and equipment costs have increased and noted, "The cost to provide police services... is not a cheap industry by any means," explaining vehicle and equipment replacement and salary pressures.
