Council discusses $45M operations center funding; staff proposes phased parks-fee increases

City staff told the council that the operations center project is planned to be funded by a full faith‑and‑credit obligation and that the council earlier approved authorizing up to $45,000,000 in financing. "That decision was a, approval of a full faith and credit obligation, to provide the $45,000,000 in funding," the city manager said, describing project timing and the plan to repay the obligation from city funds largely through existing utility rates.

Finance director Lauren Breithaupten laid out the parks‑fee proposal and the debt‑service math: the city plans to issue the obligation tentatively in March, with the first payment likely in December. She said parks' share of the debt service is approximately $561,000 per year and that current parks‑fee revenues cover about 83% of parks maintenance expenses. "The first increase... is a $5 increase," Lauren said, adding a second component would be a $5.20 increase in July to cover the parks portion of the bond debt.

Communications staff recommended a two‑tier outreach strategy—concise, shareable overviews paired with detailed materials and a central engagement hub—to explain why fees are being considered and how they relate to broader city finances. Parks director Megan Big John and councilors urged staff to provide additional materials for a follow‑up work session: deferred‑maintenance cost estimates, staffing trends in parks, comparisons with neighboring cities' fees, and information on low‑income utility assistance programs. The council agreed to continue the conversation at a work session next week (or early February) with a tentative plan to vote in February on the fee approach.