Commission weighs sales-tax referendum, property-tax options and modest utility increases

Rob presented revenue alternatives that would offset growing public-safety costs: re-running a sales-tax referendum with a clearly defined use of proceeds, pursuing a property-tax cap increase at a general election, increasing utility rates modestly, or using reserves as a stopgap. "You could go back after a sales tax referendum," Rob said, noting the last attempt failed and stressing the importance of clearly defining where revenue would be spent if the measure were to pass.

Commissioners debated what defined relief or offsets would make a ballot measure acceptable to voters, discussed a range (0.25 to 0.5 cents) as examples, and noted timing constraints that make a 2028 general-election measure most feasible. Staff will model revenue scenarios and present specific ballot language options if the commission directs that path.