Public Safety Ballot Measure Citizen Committee Recommendations
 

City staff will present information on a potential public safety ballot measure and the Citizen Committee's recommendations. Committee Chair, Mike Loven, will also share information about the Committee process and be available to answer questions. Following the presentation and discussion, City Council may choose to discuss this further during the June 2nd Council meeting, or they may provide direction to place a public safety ballot measure on the November 2026 ballot.  Any direction received to include a public safety ballot measure in the November 2026 election will be revisited on June 16th with the resolution for a call for an election. 

The City Council identified public safety as a Council budget priority in January 2025.  This conversation was discussed further during the April 2025 Council Budget Retreat and in a follow-up conversation about a potential public safety ballot measure and citizen committee in September 2025.  City staff began working with the Citizen Committee in November 2025 meeting almost weekly to share information about the City's budget revenues and expenditures, support currently provided for public safety, the identified public safety needs within Fire, Emergency Management, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, and Police and sources available to provide additional revenue.  A community survey was conducted with some preliminary thoughts from the Committee on sales tax and general obligation bonds.  This feedback, along with information shared during open call to the public, was considered by the Committee members when crafting a recommendation for City Council's consideration.  Attached you will find a letter from the Committee, a list describing the additional public safety investment and associated dollar amounts for the sales tax and general obligation bond, and a presentation.  

* Note: the presentation will be attached prior to the distribution of the agenda. The other two attachments are included.