James Wallace Knowles

The board conducted an executive session and received citizen input regarding police department pay increases and a special event application. The council approved a special event application for liquor sales for a car show. Additionally, the board enacted ordinances to amend the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget and adopt the annual budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with specific deliberations focused on employee compensation structures and potential fiscal impacts related to real estate tax roll-back revenue.

The board is scheduled to convene for a workshop meeting to address personnel and contract-related matters in an executive session, as well as to discuss the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

The board convened for a workshop meeting to engage in city-wide goal setting and strategic planning. The session included a review of compiled SWOT analysis data to facilitate discussion on future planning initiatives and strategic priorities. The meeting also included an executive session to address legal and contractual matters.

The board discussed Bill No. 1466, an ordinance regarding the repeal of a previously enacted Use Tax. The discussion included inquiries into the financial implications for the city, the costs associated with future ballot initiatives, and the history of previous failed measures related to the Use Tax.

The Board discussed the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget, focusing on General Fund revenues, expenditures, and capital improvement project costs. Key topics included the restructuring of the Police Department, the property tax levy rate set at $0.3206 per $100 of assessed valuation, and options regarding a future use tax ballot proposition. Support was confirmed for public education efforts concerning a potential use tax initiative for voter consideration in 2027.