Council discusses senior rebate timing and possible tree‑trimming funding

Councilmembers raised the senior rebate as a local priority and debated whether to fund it in the adopted budget or wait for a midyear amendment. Vice Mayor Moreira and others said timely payment is important for seniors who receive tax bills in November; staff explained that when previously funded in midyear the checks were mailed in September or December depending on the funding cycle.

The manager and finance director said that if the rebate is funded in the regular budget process distribution often follows administrative processing and can land in the fall or early winter; council expressed a preference to fund it now so checks are available closer to tax deadlines. Council asked staff to include the senior rebate in the list of potential allocations to be confirmed before the second hearing.