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Inflationary cost had an affected on everything from gas, food, etc. but reminded that restaurants
were still full.
Councilwoman Woodbury shared that was another reason to decrease the tax, because people
needed a break. She agreed with Option 2 – a one cent real estate tax reduction ($2.1 million) and
0.5% meal tax reduction ($2.1 million).
Mayor Jones requested information regarding a veteran program and other tax relief programs for the
elderly. He further inquired about where the $4.2 million would come from. City Manager Rohlf
replied that staff would analyze the budget, discuss debt services and cost savings.
Councilwoman Vick questioned what the citizens were requesting within the next ten years. The City
needed to paint a clearer picture, the services requested were not free. She indicated that building
new schools were similar to building a college campus, and citizens needed to understand that was
costly. She requested that the amount of public and subsidized housing be included in the
comprehensive study as related to other localities.
Mayor Jones requested that the City review the debt services, CIP vision and the higher rate of public
housing in the City.
FY 2024 City Manager Recommended Operating Budget - Presentation
IV. Comments/Ideas/Suggestions
Mayor Jones recalled discussions about the 5:00 p.m. start time for Work Sessions, which did not allow
enough time to discuss City business items. It was his belief that City Council should pick a start time
and stick to it. Mayor Jones indicated that with a work session time of 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. presenters
were forced to rush through the presentations, which did not allow enough time for comments and
questions. By consensus of City Council, the work sessions would begin to be televised in the next
fiscal year (FY 2024), with the first Work Session to air on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. He requested
feedback from City Council regarding a good start time.
Councilman Long questioned whether there was a specific time in order to allow adequate time for
presentations. City Manager Rohlf replied that the time could be flexible, dependent upon the subject
matter, as some items required more time. For example: housing could require a work session start
time of 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for other subject matters, hence a 5:00 p.m. start time could be
sufficient.
Vice Mayor Bethany questioned how the time change would work with public notice. City Manager
Rohlf replied that the work session agenda was set prior to the meeting and the public would be
notified in ample time.
Councilwoman Vick shared that she was of the belief that the City Council Work Session could not
begin before 5:00 p.m. due to the work schedules of the new City Councilmembers. She shared that
the work session time varied from meeting to meeting with the previous Council.
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