Committee members reviewed the 2026 operating budget summary and asked staff for more detailed line-item breakdowns before the ordinance is presented to council.

Speaker 1 said the operating budget materials are available in the city's OpenGov portal and noted the operating budget contains few capital line items; departments' expenses are grouped by wages/benefits, materials and services. Members asked staff to expand the OpenGov view to show auditing and service allocations for clearer review.

Several members requested a clearer breakdown of the economic development line, which committee members said appears to cover community events, Wilcott House support and job-related grants. "It would be nice to see it," Speaker 2 said, asking staff to return with a detailed accounting.

The committee also discussed the city's mowing contract and ways to reduce expenses. Speaker 11 said he is working to quantify hours and expects to prepare a mowing RFP by the end of the month to assess whether work should remain contracted or move in-house.

On grants and programs, Speaker 10 urged more council oversight of facade grants and parameters for awarding funds. The committee also discussed tree-trimming and replacement priorities; staff said the operating temporary budget currently includes $190,000 for tree trimming and watering obligations, and members said they will present a tree-risk assessment and a plan to balance removals and plantings in an upcoming presentation to council.

Ending: Committee members agreed to follow up with staff for more detailed budget materials, to draft any necessary ordinance language on programs that need council oversight, and to return with proposals for mowing and tree-program changes.