2026-09-16 - City Council Budget Work Session

Summary

Built from the official City Clerk minutes. No video was found, so there is no transcript or timing.

Budget work session, 1:39 PM to 3:54 PM; all 11 members present.
Tate presented eight expenditure amendments, six revenue increases and seven reductions; the Mayor's 1.6 percent across-the-board plan was debated.
Most members opposed adding 10 SAFFE officers and preferred restoring filled Library, Metro Health and sustainability positions and agency funding.
Walsh said public safety was $65 million of the $69 million General Fund increase and promised a revised memo and 1.6 percent scenario language for the next day.

Amendment list and fallback reduction list presented; staff showed 101 positions identified for elimination, 49 filled, 35 placements accepted.

Villagomez: 1.6 percent is $28.2 million, 2 percent $35.3 million, 1 percent about $17.5 million. Jones and Whyte supported; Kaur, Mungia, Viagran and Castillo opposed.

Salame said SAFFE officers would not improve call response times; Spears preferred patrol officers.

$500,000 a year amendment from Medicaid waiver reserves; Walsh doubted $1 million could be spent.

Jones suggested capping arts agencies at $250,000; Bass warned a $3 million shift would cost hotel tax revenue.

Booting, abatement, parking, river barge, HAZMAT and non-resident library card increases discussed.

McKee-Rodriguez asked for three months of emergency funding for the Eastside Boys & Girls Club.