During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the importance of including citizen representatives in upcoming budget discussions, particularly regarding the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget. The meeting highlighted concerns about potential bias in decision-making if citizen representatives were absent, emphasizing the need for their presence to ensure transparency and community involvement.

The fiscal year 2025 budget was presented at approximately $11.7 million, primarily funded through tax increment financing and contributions from the city and Polk County. Officials acknowledged the necessity of a special meeting to address budget matters before the September deadline, with plans to reach out to citizen representatives to ensure their participation.

Discussions also touched on the structure of future budget presentations, with suggestions to include requested versus received funding for various departments to provide clearer insights into budget allocations. While the current budget cycle is nearing completion, officials agreed to implement these suggestions for future budgets to enhance clarity and accountability.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to schedule a special workshop before the end of August, ensuring that all relevant parties, including citizen representatives, are adequately informed and involved in the budgetary process.