Budget

Questioned spending priorities — a $5 million property purchase while the senior center lacks internet — and suggested deeper cuts to the travel budget and using reclaimed water revenue to lower water bills.

A recent retiree and 35-year resident, he objected to cuts to senior center amenities and gym hours, and suggested cutting the April festival and July 4th fireworks instead.

Urged a mix of solutions including a 0.75% sales tax increase to raise ~$15 million and stop draining reserves.

A 57-year resident who urged more town hall meetings and transparency on the budget crisis, noting reserves are down $10.6 million.

Suggested the council report and cut its own event spending and pay for CCPA tickets instead of taking free front-row seats.

A resident budget task force member supported budgeting for possible elections up front rather than facing a mid-year crisis, and raised concerns about trash pickup and deferred maintenance.

Called for the 3% salary raise assumption and the $7.4 million water/sewer fund overhead allocation to be agendized for public discussion.

Called for more sheriff funding over speed trailers and travel, and criticized the water bill legislation.

Said everything should be fair game in cuts, including the performing arts center, while the library and senior services face reductions.

Suggested a 1% sales tax or deep cuts, and proposed selling the CCPA — a $100 million asset — to philanthropists and endowing the proceeds.

Called the budget process political theater to sell a sales tax, and urged confronting pension liabilities and CCPA subsidies.

Urged the council not to cut community events, senior center and swim center hours, or public safety staffing, and suggested trimming capital projects instead.

Suggested department-by-department review, a CCPA nonprofit lease, a Topgolf-style conversion of the nine-hole course, and drones instead of cuts to public safety.

A task force member who supported the 1% TUT but said voters must first see tangible cuts, and suggested suspending commission stipends and moving the CCPA to a 501(c)(3).

Called the task force process a false dichotomy and offered six alternatives, including exiting the Magnolia Power Plant agreement, leasing the CCPA, and a hiring freeze.

Called in from Tokyo to say the task force was a farce and urged the council to dig into overhead costs and consider letting go of the CCPA, golf course, and power plant.

A task force member who urged the council to put the 1% sales tax on the ballot and let voters decide, while also supporting deeper cuts.

A task force member who said the process felt like a messaging effort built to justify a sales tax rather than a genuine budget review.