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Residents tell council to divert new tax revenue to wildfire defense, senior services and infrastructure
Summary
Public commenters and two written statements argued the proposed $98,100 should instead support wildfire preparedness, the senior center and infrastructure upgrades; a resident questioned a prior $30,000 camera purchase in the context of budget priorities.
Several residents and two written commenters told the council the proposed tax increase should not be used for policing but instead direct funds toward wildfire preparedness, senior services and infrastructure.
In-person commenter Kathleen Crainer asked why the city would "vote to spend 30,000 on the flock cameras that we didn't need and we maybe could have put off?" and said many residents feel public hearings are futile because they assume the council will do what it intends regardless of comment. Amy read two written comments by local residents expressing opposition: Trina Held wrote, "I wish to state my opposition to the use of the proposed tax augmentation to fund increased policing," and Catherine Held argued the city should prioritize wildfire protection after the Adams fire and that now is not the time for increased policing.
Jerry Kennedy, an in-person speaker, said he likewise did not support the increase and recommended investing in the fire department and modernization of water and sewer systems instead of augmenting police funding.
