During a recent government meeting, officials addressed a critical funding gap in the city’s budget, estimated between $8 million to $10 million. This gap was acknowledged when the two-year biannual budget was adopted, and while some temporary solutions were implemented, long-term strategies remain necessary. The upcoming budget presentation in May will require decisions on either new revenue sources or budget cuts to address ongoing financial challenges.

City officials highlighted that the general fund, which supports essential services such as police, fire, libraries, and recreation, is under significant strain. The bulk of the general fund revenue comes from property taxes, which are capped at a 3% increase, alongside contributions from local utilities and service fees. However, the ability to adjust fees is limited, making it difficult to cover the funding gap.

The meeting also emphasized the need for a strategic approach to budget cuts, ensuring that reductions do not adversely affect critical community services. Officials noted that despite a growing population and increasing service demands, the number of city employees per capita has decreased since the late 1980s. For instance, fire and EMS calls have surged from approximately 3,000 annually in the 1980s to around 30,000 today, highlighting the urgent need for additional resources in these areas.

A proposed fire services fee was discussed as a potential solution to stabilize funding for fire and EMS services, which have not seen significant staffing increases in decades. Officials expressed concern that without proactive measures, the city risks falling behind in its ability to respond to emergencies, particularly given the rising threats from wildfires and urban density.

The meeting concluded with a call for community understanding of the budgetary priorities and the strategic planning that has been undertaken to address urgent needs while managing limited resources.