2026-08-11 - City Council Limited Formal Meeting
Summary
Built from the official minutes (approved August 25, 2026).
- Limited formal meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 7:00 to 7:22 p.m.; all seven Council Members present, with Mayor Mendenhall among those attending.
- Council Member Puy, conducting the meeting, said the Council would take final action on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget and the required Truth-in-Taxation action, including a proposed property tax increase for City operations.
- One combined public hearing on the tax levy and the final budget. Four residents commented, all against the increase or concerned about costs.
- Ordinance 44 of 2026 (final rate of tax levy for all City funds, including the Library Fund) adopted 7-0, moved by Dugan, seconded by Petro.
- Ordinance 45 of 2026 (final FY 2026-27 budget, including the increase in the Property Tax Impact Schedule, above the certified rate, releasing revenue from the restricted fund created at interim budget adoption) adopted 7-0, moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan.
- No potential action items, comments, new or unfinished business, or consent items.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase
Jennifer Bruno introduced the Truth-in-Taxation hearing. Eric Miller raised rising property taxes and water rates. Susana Arguello opposed the increase over housing costs for homeowners and renters. R. Scott Birdsall opposed it, citing the size of the increase, the judgment levy and unclear information for taxpayers. Brook Bryn opposed it over hardship and Police Department funding, and pointed to the September 15 hearing on the Automatic License Plate Reader Ordinance. Wharton acknowledged affordability concerns; Puy described higher operating costs, resident expectations, departmental cuts and savings, and the balance with affordability. Cindy Lou Trishman explained the final budget needed its own motion before adjournment. Both ordinances passed 7-0 (AYE Puy, Petro, Wharton, Napier-Pearce, Carlsen, Dugan, Young).