Committee forwards proposed $1.16 real-estate tax rate to council with no recommendation

The standing committee voted to forward ordinance 20 26 1 96, proposing a real-estate tax rate of $1.16 for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2028, to the full council with no recommendation. Members said the ordinance is substantial and that full council consideration should include revenue and expenditure projections.

Council member Gibson asked for careful revenue projections and cautioned against appearing to pick numbers without data, citing concerns about assessment changes and mixed messaging on sales-tax and real-estate-rate proposals. RJ Warren, council chief of staff, said he is working with council members to use the October budget work session to present revenue projections, aligning with the committee’s request for more data. The committee recorded votes forwarding the ordinance to council with no recommendation.