Early budget poll: majority rate service levels 'right where they need to be'; public safety largest share

City staff gave council an early, preliminary look at results from the ongoing online budget poll. Staff emphasized that the sample was still growing and urged caution in interpreting the figures, but presented topline findings and category breakdowns.

Robin, the staff presenter, said the online sample at the time included about 200 respondents and that the majority of respondents chose that services were "right where they need to be" in most categories. In staff's slide materials, public safety was described as "about 66,000,000 and 44% of the budget." Robin said uniform patrol was the single subcategory where the largest plurality of respondents wanted to see more resources.

The presentation noted other shifts: infrastructure and youth and families spending were down relative to inflation, while leisure/arts had declined. Staff also said outreach has so far underrepresented certain demographic groups and asked council members to help broaden participation via social media and community channels.

Council members suggested practical changes for future engagement — including short explanatory video clips tied to survey questions, video chats that allow interactive Q&A and offering the survey at libraries and community centers to improve demographic reach.