Jay D. Schwartz

Amendment 3 homestead exemption on November ballot

If approved by voters, the city could lose $18.7 million to $32 million in annual property tax revenue within two years — money now funding police, fire rescue, parks, and events.

FY2026-27 Budget and $8.2 Million General Fund Gap

Your fire assessment would go up about $29.49 next year; the property tax rate would tick down slightly, the 11th straight year of reduction.

Proposed taxpayer bill of rights ordinance

Could cap how fast city operating spending grows — details still to be worked out.

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Report

The bill would offer up to $5,000 per first-time homebuyer, capped at $5 million a year statewide.

City investment portfolio amendment

State Property Tax Reform Uncertainty

Residents could pay less in property tax, but the city could lose tens of millions — with police and fire the biggest exposure.

City manager hire/fire vote threshold change

None directly.

Solid Waste Director-Level Position

Salary cost to be spread across roughly 38,000 residential trash accounts plus commercial accounts; officials estimated a modest per-bill impact.

FY 2025-26 Budget Amendment

Adjusts the current fiscal year budget; specific dollar amounts not stated in the record.

Commission Auditor FY 2026 Reports

Moving city elections from March to November

March elections cost the city up to $75,000; November municipal races would cost candidates and the city nothing under the current Supervisor of Elections policy.

Procurement controls and FY2027 audit plan

Audit plan of about 1,320 hours costing $3,124,420, plus fixing the procurement tracking gap.

Fire apparatus antitrust litigation

Filed on contingency — no upfront cost to the city, with potential recovery for overcharges.

Employee compensation and staffing scrutiny

Budget includes roughly $4.1 million in vacancy savings and $5 million in estimated budget savings; compensation details still pending.

Charter amendments on city manager headed to referendum

The referendum itself has no direct cost to residents, but the changes could affect how city administration is run.

Proposed $155 million general obligation bond referendum

At $80 million in bonds, the median homeowner would pay about $50 a year ($841 total over 30 years for the median condo); at the full $155 million, about $97 a year.

September meeting date change

Advisory board vacancies and recruitment

Termination of general employees' retirement income plan

No cost to the city; well-funded plan with a 5% assumed rate of return being transferred to an insurer.

Property tax elimination ballot question

Could cost the city up to $53 million a year — roughly 40% of its remaining budget — if fully eliminated.