To maintain the city’s excellent financial health, we have choices to make.
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Are there any services the City should stop offering?
No. They will need to revisit the priority and proportion of expenditures on those services as mature and refine and expand them to meet the growing population and the very diverse culturally demands of those resources.Are there any services the City should add?
A place and resource to educate and assist with Healthy Choices regarding drugs and homelessness. A facility for promoting the ARTS: 2D; 3D; Music and Performing Arts.Are there any existing services the city should enhance?
increasing %age and protecting affordable housing inventory available only to low income families. [applicants use a lottery system perhaps]What do you think the City should spend more money on?
Environmental preservation and Aquisition (connect trails and water ways and lake shores); Traffic & Transportaion/Roads for efficient egress to & from our arterials.Should the city diversify its revenue sources by adding a new tax?
Additional comments:
wait another 2 years before tapping our Banked 1% (over 8 years) Property tax increase, Then revisit where the break even cross over line projections hit.What new tax would you suggest? Utility tax? A $20-50 tax per vehicle? Higher property taxes? Other?
If there is nothing left to cut in expenses by 2019 & increased revenue is needed THEN introduce the Utility tax (user / consumption oriented) and maybe 2% of property tax to start with.Would you be willing to pay more in taxes so the city could buy land and protect it from development?
Additional comments:
First though, I would expect the City's budget to allocate a larger proportion of funds to reflect this as an important priority Capital expenditureWould you be willing to pay more in taxes so the city could build and improve roads more quickly?
Additional comments:
I want to see developers pay a higher cost for capital improvement in infastructure. Jamming houses on top of each other has a huge impact on the traffic and all part of the Growth Management ActWhat other priorities would you be willing to pay more in taxes for?
Environmental sustainability programs; Humanitarian resource programs for seniors and youthIf necessary, would you support the issuance of bonds so the city could fund some of its priorities with debt?
No response.Additional comments:
not sure that is the wisest way to finance capital improvement projects unless there is not other revenue source or $ is needed fast upfront.Would you be willing to vote for higher property taxes to pay off those bonds?
No response.Additional comments:
depending upon how much higher. 1-2% maximumShould the city leave revenues where they are and spend within or under those limits?
Additional comments:
There is likely a need to increase revenues but in small increments and gradual period of timeShould the city increase its revenues so investments in roads, land preservation and other priorities can be funded more quickly?
Additional comments:
ONly where it is truly necessary to find quick money but be careful not to lock in unretractable taxes or increases that never expire but continue to grow and build on themselves