Tentative millage rate

Argued the budget must be addressed alongside the millage; if the millage rises, spending should be cut elsewhere, questioning duplicate baseball and basketball seasons.

Said the city must know its revenue before budgeting; noted the Finance Committee recommended a 4.35 millage with a 50% CRA reduction and no animal shelter funding.

Drew on his experience as a paper mill general manager to discuss budgeting and spending discipline.

Asked about general fund reserves (about $12 million) and recommended keeping the TRIM ceiling high until the actual budget is clear.

Warned the recommended millage may not be sufficient.

Pointed out several city leaders earn over $100,000 a year.

Spoke in favor of the 4.35 millage rate.

Said the city is in a tight squeeze and the previous administration should have been held accountable; urged cutting the fluff like the CRA. Commissioners offered to follow up with her.

Said he is not here to bail the city out and believes more should be cut without raising the millage rate.

Called for getting rid of the CRA and returning to 2020 conditions.

Read through the cuts already made — hiring moratorium, reduced training — and asked the commission to keep the ceiling and tackle the budget in two weeks.