Initially, the council had considered a preliminary levy proposal of $7,854,799. However, adjustments, including a necessary correction to the employer portion of the police and fire pension rate, pushed the preliminary requirement up to $7,879,975, an 11.01% increase. This sparked a debate among council members who were concerned about the public perception of such an increase and its potential implications on constituents.

Council members expressed varied opinions on the proposed hike. Some members were uncomfortable with the double-digit increase, fearing it would mislead residents into believing their taxes would rise by the same amount. One council member highlighted previous experiences with revenue projections, particularly those involving the Board of Public Utilities during the onboarding of cryptocurrency mines, as a cautionary example against overestimating revenue, which could complicate future budget adjustments.

The council’s discussions were punctuated by concerns regarding transparency and the public’s reception of tax increases. One council member described a 10% increase as “disingenuous to the public,” emphasizing the need for clear communication about tax changes. The sentiment against a high increase was widespread, with several council members expressing their unwillingness to support such a motion.

The initial proposal for a 10.81% increase, which considered maintaining the Better Healthcare Collective’s recommendations and setting a PILOT at $708,000, was voted down with six members against and only one in favor. In response, another proposal emerged, advocating for an 8% increase. This proposal was seen as a more responsible fiscal approach while still addressing the city’s operational needs.

Rising personnel costs were recognized as a potential burden. Ultimately, the 8% preliminary levy was approved.

Beyond the levy discussions, the council also set a date for a public hearing on the budget for December 8th at 6 PM, aligning with necessary filing requirements. Additionally, the council addressed the formation of a work group tasked with hiring a public utilities director, a role outlined in the employee policy manual. The work group’s formation was approved without objection, including members such as the city administrator, HR director, and public utilities commissioners, along with a volunteering council member.