Residents press council on reserves, transparency and Measure A at public comment

A broad swath of residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the council about reserve draws, revenue forecasting and a proposed local tax measure. Denise Maxwell and other speakers argued a 2022 adjustment to the 10‑year plan improperly carried multi‑year revenue gains forward; Mike Quinn and other financial‑background speakers urged balance‑sheet budgeting and suggested mechanics used elsewhere to reduce OPEB liabilities. "When the budget was adopted there was a deficit in fiscal year '24 of about $1,700,000 and in fiscal year '25 of $2,100,000," one commenter summarized of the adopted two‑year outlook.

Other speakers criticized both city salary levels and pension costs and urged the council to avoid placing additional tax burdens on residents. Benjamin Noane urged the body to rely on existing reports and conservative assumptions rather than repeated public relitigation: "Two stories are being told about the budget — one says money went missing. The other says the plan's balanced," he said. Several residents called for an independent review or grand jury referral to reconcile differing accounts; the council later asked staff to return with options for oversight and reporting reforms.