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Council moves to direct staff to plan multi-year millage reduction amid growth debate
Summary
A council member moved and the council agreed to direct staff to prepare a plan to reduce millage by one mill per year over three years (three mills total); members stressed the need to protect public-safety funding and to match recurring expenses before returning taxpayer money.
During the retreat a council member proposed a plan to reduce the county millage by one mill each year for three years, a suggestion several members endorsed and then moved into a formal direction to staff.
"I'd like to throw out on the table for council to consider a 1 mill decrease in millage over the next 3 years totaling 3 mills in total," the mover (speaker S3) said. The motion was seconded and the chair recorded the council's general agreement to direct staff to prepare the plan. Supporters argued excess unassigned fund balance and continued revenue growth make a phased reduction feasible; others warned the county must preserve recurring revenue needed for public safety and staffing needs.
Staff responded that fund balance increases have been driven by property-tax growth and high interest income and that one-time gains should not be used for recurring salary commitments without matching recurring revenue. Council asked staff to return with a formal plan showing the fiscal impacts and suggested options such as using a local-option sales tax to both provide property-tax credits and fund recurring needs for public safety.
