Underfunding, rising costs, the failed 2024 override, and an inflexible budget led to $6 million in cuts from schools and essential services.
Despite the inclusion of 85% of the city's maximum allowable free cash flow into the budget, without action, deeper cuts will follow.
Homeowner Strain
Financial Pressure
Financial Pressure
Over 90% of the city’s tax revenue comes from residential properties, placing an unsustainable burden on working families.
This lack of revenue diversification creates concentration risk, threatening the city’s long-term financial stability.
Competing Visions
Financial Pressure
Competing Visions
Many residents value the city's suburban feel—quiet neighborhoods, green space, and lower density—supporting a traditional lifestyle.
Others support an urban vision, with denser development, better connectivity, and amenities like mixed-use districts.
Ideas I Support
Yes, to Proposition 2½
An unfortunate but necessary measure to help close our current budget gap and stabilize city finances in the short term.
However, overrides must not become a routine solution; rather they be used only as a last resort—when all other sustainable revenue options and cost-efficiency strategies have been exhausted.
We must focus on long-term financial planning as the main tool to economic development.
Establish a Board of Financial Planning
A nonpartisan advisory group composed of local volunteer experts, with a dual mandate inspired by the work of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Notably, the group would review city finances while also gather neighborhood-level feedback—from residents and businesses—regarding employment, wages, and wider economic pressures. Data would be gathered through digital submissions.
Their findings would aim to advise elected officials by providing regular, holistic recommendations, supporting discussions around budgeting, city development, and other ancillary policies.
Plan for Long-Term Financial Resiliency
In close collaboration with the Board of Financial Planning, elected officials can work together to develop a transparent, sustainable, and long-term financial resiliency plan that reflects the needs and priorities of our city.
This effort will include identifying new revenue streams to enhance diversification—such as public funding, public-private partnerships, collaborations with neighboring cities, and city development—while also finding opportunities to improve efficiency in city spending without compromising critical services.
By grounding our decisions in data and community input, we can build a stable financial foundation that is also inclusive and informational strengthening public trust.
Create a Financial Stability Fund
Consolidate existing savings accounts and increase contributions by allocating larger cash surpluses and dedicating specific revenue streams for long-term financial stability.
Establish a broader “rainy day” reserve fund that can support any part of the city budget, providing flexibility and resilience in times of economic stress or unforeseen events.
Implement passive investment strategies to grow the fund’s assets over time, creating a financial cushion that protects future generations and reduces reliance on emergency tax overrides.
Generational Housing
Many long-term residents in our community, who have contributed to the fabric of our neighborhoods, are being forced to sell their homes—not by choice, but because they can no longer afford the rising costs of living, particularly the burden of increasing real estate taxes.
We can further support the implementation of the new state law allowing for the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units within single-family homes. These annexed units make it easier for multigenerational families to live together.
By accelerating this policy, we can ease financial pressure on long-term homeowners, support family cohesion, and create more flexible housing options.
Infrastructure Maintenance
Prioritize the use of public infrastructure grants and other dedicated funding sources—ensuring we fully tap into available funds for repairs, upgrades, and modernization before turning to local borrowing or new taxes.
Carefully assess the long-term costs of grant-funded projects, including potential staffing or maintenance obligations, to ensure the city can sustainably support what it builds.
Building a Shared Vision
Gather diverse perspectives to define a strategic growth map for the city that reflects the priorities of both residents and appeals to newcomers, enabling the development of a transparent implementation plan with specific milestones that can be further detailed by the administrative departments.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.