To maintain the city’s excellent financial health, we have choices to make.

Would you prefer to spend within the limits of current revenues, even if that constrains or reduces municipal levels of service? Or would you be willing to increase tax revenues so the city can maintain or improve its level of service, and accelerate investments in roads, infrastructure, land acquisition and open space?

Here's some background. Since incorporation in 1999, the city’s population has grown from 34,000 to 62,000. Over those 18 years, the city has invested in roads, parks and other infrastructure, and responded to community requests for expanded city services. With more infrastructure to maintain, and additional services to fund, the city projects that operational expenses will begin to exceed operational revenues sometime early in the next decade.

Along with rising operational costs, the city must also contemplate the community’s demands for better roads, the protection of trees, and the preservation of open space -- all made prominent by the recent wave of residential growth. 

In line with its tradition of long-range financial planning, the city is currently considering appropriate adjustments. But before the City Council gathers for its financial retreat on June 29, it needs the community’s help in answering important questions. Do you think the city should raise taxes to build and improve roads more quickly? To buy and preserve open space, protecting it from development? To pay off bonds that could be used to fund capital projects? To maintain or enhance city services?

We hope you’ll help the city answer these broad questions by taking part in this Virtual Town Hall on city finances. Thanks so much for your time!

(NOTE: On April 27, the city held a community roundtable on city finances. To view an edited recording of that meeting, which featured a detailed presentation from the city’s finance director, please click here.)

(NOTE: Virtual Town Hall is intended to expand public comment on important community topics. It is not designed to be a random, statistically valid survey.)