Council reviews 2-year renewal of shade-tree commission and $40,000 assessment

Council considered an ordinance renewing the shade-tree commission assessment for two years and reviewed how the collected funds have been used since the 1980s.

Council members asked whether the $40,000 figure could be raised and whether the statute allows using tree-commission funds for sidewalk repairs when root removal is necessary. The law director said the statute is clear about permitted uses—planting, trimming, removing and controlling disease of shade trees in public rights-of-way—and does not authorize paying for ordinary sidewalk repair. Members said they would follow up with the auditor and the tree commission to clarify how the fund balance has accumulated and how the commission might spend additional resources if collections are revised.