City manager presents tight FY2027 budget, says no new positions and explains tax‑rate choices

City Manager Mary Smith presented the proposed FY2027 budget and described it as one of the most difficult she has prepared, saying assessed values offered very little new revenue and that the proposed budget includes merit step increases but no new positions or market adjustments. She described pay scales for police and fire, the process used to set market comparisons and the council's long‑standing goal to stay within 5% of market for maximum salaries.

Smith walked council through tax‑rate mechanics: the city's certified assessed value is "just over $11,000,000,000," she said, and a penny on the tax rate generates about $925,000. She described the 'no new revenue' rate and the voter‑approval rate, outlined the calendar for public hearings (first hearing Sept. 8, adoption Sept. 21) and said the budget as proposed used a conservative 2.5% sales‑tax growth assumption.