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Councilors warn state bills could curb local control over taxes, zoning and fees
Summary
Council members raised concerns about legislation in the state session — including SB 97 and proposals on fees and zoning — saying some bills could limit municipal authority over property taxes, zoning, and utility fees and urging residents to contact legislators.
Council members used the strategic-plan discussion to report on the state legislative session and to flag bills they say could reduce municipal authority. Council member Howe told residents and colleagues that bills before the legislature could 'handcuff' municipalities on short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and other local land-use controls.
The council discussed SB 97, which was described as proposing a 5% annual cap on property-tax increases and changes to rainy-day fund limits; members said the cap would reduce local flexibility for municipal budgets. Council members also discussed proposed changes to timing around truth-in-taxation and a bill that would require updated methodology and decennial studies for transportation utility fees (described in the meeting as HB 425). "I will say emphatically, I'm absolutely against that," one council member said about state zoning preemption, and councilors urged residents to contact their legislators.
