The meeting included a review of the city’s overall capital project funding, totaling around $45.1 million for the fiscal year. Adjustmentsllocations were made across various categories, including just under $3.2 million for capital equipment, over $3.5 million for facility repairs, and $2.6 million for historic facility projects. Noteworthy allocations included over $9.6 million for parks and recreation and $10 million for utility repairs, with more than $4.5 million specifically designated for sea-level rise mitigation efforts.

A detailed ordinance regarding the levy of taxes for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024, was also presented, proposing a tax rate of 5.559 mills, representing an 8.4% increase over the rollback rate. The annual budget of estimated revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year was adjusted from $283.4 million to approximately $284.7 million following a revision by the city manager. Concerns were raised about specific positions within the budget, particularly the removal of solid waste and code enforcement positions. There was a call to explore the revenue potential of a part-time parking position to offset its costs, emphasizing that the removal of certain positions could hinder essential services that residents rely on, especially in code enforcement where complaints have been increasing.

Discussions centered on the need to enhance services while maintaining budget constraints, with a strong emphasis on improving code enforcement efforts. Current efforts are concentrated in the central business district, leaving other areas, particularly those near schools, without adequate oversight. The need for increased efficiency for solid waste workers was also highlighted, with suggestions to add tools that could alleviate the physical demands of the job, especially under adverse weather conditions.

The meeting also delved into staffing levels, particularly in the Solid Waste department, alongside considerations for code enforcement and parking. Concerns were voiced about potential reductions in positions, advocating a cautious approach to staffing changes. Incrementally increasing positions for Solid Waste workers was supported, deemed critical to fill the most necessary roles first. A proposal emerged to conduct individual meetings with the directors of Solid Waste, parking, and code enforcement to gather insights directly from those operating within these departments daily.

One participant emphasized the importance of careful examination of proposed changes, stating, “I want to make sure that the first decision is the right decision,” highlighting the need to understand the initial reasons for identifying additional positions. As the city grows, sufficient personnel are required to maintain effective services, particularly in sanitation and code enforcement. A structured follow-up was suggested to communicate with staff about whether staffing changes are producing desired outcomes, with the possibility of revisiting the headcount after a few months to allow for adjustments based on actual operational needs.

The idea of conducting a second workshop for more discussions on headcount and budgetary implications was introduced. Financial aspects of staffing were discussed, with a commissioner articulating the need to ensure additional positions do not adversely affect other city operations. The importance of maintaining essential services such as garbage collection, police, and fire departments was reiterated, with suggestions to explore positions that had remained vacant for an extended period to identify potential savings.

As the meeting progressed, the necessity for discussions around the budget process was underscored. One member stressed the need to establish the parameters of the budget approval timeline and the implications of proposed changes. Calls were made for department directors to provide context and clarify operational needs during workshops. This led to discussions on aligning staffing levels with community service demands, particularly in relation to the number of homes serviced.