Council opens mill-levy hearing; votes to continue R&R vote to Sept. 10

Rona, a city staff presenter, opened the public hearing on the mill levy and revenue-neutral rate and summarized the city's approach for the 2027 budget. She said the city proposes to hold the mill levy at a maximum of 21.861 and that the county's revenue-neutral rate for 2027 is 19.486. Rona told residents that moving to the revenue-neutral rate would reduce city revenue by roughly $553,000 a year—about $137 per household—and that staff would provide more detailed, tailored budget materials at the next meeting.

Resident Rodolfo Avelo told the council the city already projects a roughly $2.9 million surplus and urged a mill-levy cut toward 19.6 to return funds to taxpayers. "If you already know you're gonna have a surplus, why don't you provide … a reduction in taxes to the citizens?" Avelo said, listing near-term housing additions he said would expand the tax base.

Council members asked for clearer household-impact graphics and a breakdown showing how a tax dollar is allocated among services; Rona said staff will include the per-$100,000-of-valued-asset breakdown and pie charts in future budget presentations. The mayor closed the comment period and continued the public hearing to the council's September 10 meeting, when the resolution and a vote on the R&R are scheduled to occur.