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Residents press Garden City council to use reserves after proposed tax increase; officials defend budget choices
Summary
Multiple residents urged council to use surplus funds or reduce the proposed millage increase; council members and staff responded that prior-year appropriations, bond rating impacts, and a settlement tied to the fire fee limited options.
Residents filled the public-comment period to challenge the mayor and council over a proposed property tax increase tied to the transition away from a separately assessed fire fee.
Speakers raised specific concerns about affordability and asked for clearer fiscal reconciliation. Linda (stated name) told the council: "You've already heard everything I got to say ... You get paid $325 per meeting." Several residents asked whether the auditor-identified surplus could be used to lessen the tax increase; finance staff explained that the city routinely appropriates fund balance to balance budgets and cautioned that repeated use of reserves could deplete savings and harm bond ratings. "If you keep using your savings, you're gonna deplete it," staff said during the exchange. Residents also cited the history of annexation and service expectations and pressed elected officials to identify waste or cuts in the 2025 budget before approving a higher millage.
Council members acknowledged the pressure on seniors and low-income homeowners while emphasizing the city's need to maintain police, fire, stormwater, and other essential services. The discussions informed the later vote to adopt the millage rate.
