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Residents press council over rising assessments and ask for clearer budget transparency
Summary
During public comment, residents said rising property assessments are increasing tax bills even when the certified rate changes are modest and asked for clearer lists of planned purchases funded by seizure and grant revenues; staff pointed residents to budget guides and public records.
Several Lewiston residents used the citizen comment portion and the FY2027 public hearing to press council on how assessed values and certified levies interact and to ask for greater transparency about how one‑time funds are being spent.
Mandy Hopkins, who identified herself as a Lewiston resident, asked where the public could find documentation showing the city's losses on ambulance/transportation revenues and what the expected improvement would be from outsourcing GMT reporting. She also asked whether the city maintains a wish list that would show how seizure and other restricted funds might be spent in the future. "I appreciate the transparency in your reflection of the improvement... but in reality, my assessed value of my property has increased exponentially," Hopkins said, urging staff to show residents a multi‑year wish list so tax increases feel better justified.
Other residents — Nick Rallis and Nick Woods — said their assessments have climbed and asked why that results in higher bills even if the certified levy changes are small. Anna Bossart urged council to avoid using foregone taxes because she said doing so converts past restraint into a permanently higher base. Staff responded that budget request forms and contract records are public records, that the budget guide is online, and that staff will make additional materials available and answer follow‑up questions before the next hearing.
