Immediately following public comment during the special Budget Workshop Meeting Tuesday June 25th, 2024, during the discussion on the dais, Danko brought up calls and emails he received from other mayoral candidates and residents about current council members using city events for campaigning. Danko questioned the legality of candidates who are running for office being involved in town halls, and stated that he would not be doing any further town halls until after the election. Mayor Alfind disagreed with Danko’s stance and argued that town halls are deeply rooted in this country’s political history. Pontieri stated that she was not in favor of paying the city attorney taxpayer money for a memorandum on the legality of town halls during an election. The council moved forward with the memorandum, requesting it to be done before the next city meeting.
Following the discussion on the dais, council heard a presentation on funding for various city projects, including Fire Station 22, and 26, Maintenance Operations Complex Fleet Building, Fuel Depot and Wash Facility, Utility System, Pavement Management Program, and the Sports Complex.
Director Cote stated that there are funding shortfalls for many of the projects, and that if funding cannot be pulled from the budget, or in some cases with higher utility rates, then the city will need to look at loans. The discussion moved to the types of loans, how it will be budgeted if chosen, and the interest rates that the City would have if loans were taken out. Director Cote also explained that the millage rate may need to be raised in order to keep up with capital projects and other maintenance.
Economic Development was next up in the presentation by Director Cote. Cote stated that currently the taxes are supported by 90% residential and only 10% commercial. Because of this, city staff has identified tract 17 off of US1 in close proximity to I-95, to use as an incentive to bring business here. The goal with this tract is to have it business ready in order to incentivize business to move their businesses to our area. This requires the city to clear the site, conduct grading, create stormwater ponds, and other entitlements. Danko requested to see statistics on whether this type of incentive is typically successful in other cities who have gone on a similar path. Currently there are no funding mechanisms available to the city for this project, so staff would need direction in how to move forward.
The discussion moved to the dais, where the subject of a referendum being drafted which would then go on the ballot at the next general election, changing the charter to allow council to borrow money for different projects. The referendum will come before council at the earliest opportunity, allowing council to have a discussion regarding whether this will go on the ballot at the next general election.
