Determine if the Council will proceed with repealing and replacing Section 1.05.1 of the City Charter by the June 8, 2020 deadline.

On May 18th, 2020, staff presented the City Council with draft language to repeal and replace Section 1.05.1 of the City Charter. This section of the Charter was approved by the voters in 2004 and is commonly referred to as Public Safety 2 (PS2). PS2 provides $8.2 million annually to help fund police, fire and related services. At the time voters approved this additional funding, it was estimated to require levying 60 mills to generate the $8.2 million. Council's direction on May 12, 2020, was to replace this section of the Charter with a 60 mill proposal to the voters. 60 mills in 2020 is estimated to raise $12.2 million, thus generating more money to help support police, fire and related services. The 2004 levy is capped to generate $8.2 million. The proposed 2020 levy is capped at 60 mills. As the value of a mill changes, the amount of money raised will also change. This is expected to help offset inflation, thus helping both departments to retain their current levels of services. On May 18th, Council directed the City Administrator to continue to pursue this idea bringing back refined language as soon as possible. In order for any levy request to positively impact the fiscal year 2021 budget, the ballot language must be reviewed and approved on first reading no later than June 8. The attached documents have been refined from the original drafts. These refinements are a result of two meetings the City Administrator held with Mayor Cole, Councilmembers Neese and Choriki and staff between May 19th and 21st. It is critical to be clear and concise on what the voters are being asked to consider.

City Council may:

• Direct the City Administrator to bring back all documents necessary to propose a Charter amendment to the voters for first reading at their June 8, 2020 Regular Business Meeting; or
• Direct the City Administrator to no longer pursue a Charter amendment for 2020.

If voters approve the proposed Charter amendment, it is estimated to generate an additional $4,000,000 to help support police, fire and related services.