Title
Adopt a Motion Directing Staff to Either: A) Continue to Explore Potential Revenue Measures That Could Appear on the November 2026 Ballot including a Consulting Services Agreement With Clifford Moss for Outreach and Survey Work to Consider Feasibility; or B) to Cease All Efforts Associated With Placing a Revenue Measure on the November 2026 Ballot
Staff report
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This report provides information on a potential survey and to study community support and feasibility of potential revenue measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Staff recommend Council decide whether to direct staff to proceed in the effort to explore potential revenue measures that could appear on the November 2026 ballot including a consulting services agreement with Clifford Moss for outreach and survey work to consider feasibility, or to cease staff efforts and the use of additional resources.
BACKGROUND
At the February 1, 2025 Special Meeting and Annual City Council Planning Session, there was support from the Council to explore a potential City sponsored revenue measure to assist in creating a sustainable fiscal future for the City and potentially fund vital infrastructure projects.
During the FY 2026-2027 Biennial Budget process a proposal was made by staff to the City Council to appropriate approximately $500,000 in the General Fund to support expenditures related to engaging consultants to conduct feasibility survey(s), and outreach and research work surrounding the viability of placing potential revenue measures on the November 2026 ballot. At that time, Council expressed concern about adding additional expenditures to a General Fund budget that was projecting a use of reserves to balance and asked staff to return when a clearer picture of the General Fund balance at the close of FY 2025.
DISCUSSION
Preliminary unaudited numbers indicate that the City did not end the year with a surplus in the General Fund, but rather a use of General Fund reserves. The...
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