Council members debate staffing, equipment and service gaps as retention concerns grow

Council discussion after public comment centered on balancing the need to restore staffing and equipment against residents' concerns about paying more taxes. Some members argued that hiring is necessary to deliver basic services and to retain employees; one council member said the city had "lost about an average of 12 employees," which council members cited as driver for considering pay and staffing adjustments.

Other members urged caution, arguing budget lines should be reconciled and unspent funds used before proposing a millage increase. Council members repeatedly framed the choice as a trade-off: restore services and equipment now by increasing revenue, or hold rates steady and accept slower progress. The council emphasized that any staffing or equipment plan would require follow-up budget work and that smaller incremental increases (for example a half-mill) would reduce per-household impact.