Public commenters praise balanced budget and urge long‑term fixes; one urges a stormwater utility assessment

Several members of the public addressed the council during the public‑comment period. A resident (Cliff) commended the mayor for producing a balanced budget and warned the council against spending reserve money recklessly: "You get a little interest money off of interest income, but you need money for big items. Start saving instead of going..." He encouraged the council to accept the balanced budget and amend it rather than reject it outright.

Another resident (AJ) delivered a prepared set of recommendations and four substantive concerns about the city's fiscal position: a $4.8 million negative balance in Fund 101 (non‑operating), growing dependence on SEDC transfers, heavy reliance on volatile sales‑tax revenue, and deferred infrastructure maintenance that AJ described as "debt". AJ urged the council to consider a dedicated stormwater utility assessment to create recurring revenue for drainage and related capital needs: "Stafford needs new recurring revenue that is tied directly to infrastructure... I strongly urge this council to give serious consideration to establishing a stormwater utility assessment."

Both comments spurred council requests for clearer documentation. AJ also asked the council to publish cost allocation demonstrating the economic nexus for transfers from SEDC and to explain how HOT or other transfers are being used in the general fund.