Millage rate and budget

Confirmed there's no budget room for festivals, the Fourth of July, or Easter events, and sympathized that this commission is left cleaning up past fiscal decisions.

Called this the most sobering meeting yet, argued the city must earn rather than beg for money, and urged cutting 50 positions instead of 29 to balance the budget, offering volunteer labor for James Rogers Park.

Told the commission to err high on the millage ceiling and balance the budget rather than keep dipping into reserves, warning residents will call when TRIM notices go out.

Said tonight's number doesn't matter, but blasted the commission for underutilizing the Financial Review Committee and urged weekly budget meetings and a joint workshop before September's real vote.

Opposed putting the millage increase on the backs of seniors and long-time residents, blamed past public works and engineering contract decisions dating to 2020, and urged the commission to undo the Panhandle Engineering contract under state statute.

Said the rubber is hitting the road, the city brought this on itself, and he wants 50 cuts instead of 29 — but offered to organize volunteers to demolish poles and plant trees at James Rogers Park.

Echoed Mr. Switzer, offering to do volunteer labor for park cleanup and challenging the commission to simply ask the community for help.

Called setting the rate tonight an exercise in futility without state numbers — just set the highest allowable rate and don't tie the commission's hands.