Overview

• On August 14, the council approved a 5-cent per $100 valuation tax rate election on top of the city manager’s 3.5 percent base budget via an omnibus motion
• The motion was led by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes and Council members Ryan Alter, Chito Vela and José Velásquez, with Marc Duchen opposing the tax rate election
• A 2019 state law requires voter approval for any property tax increase above 3.5 percent, prompting the council to seek a TRE to fund key services
• The proposed election would raise the average homeowner’s property tax bill by about $302.14 annually, or $416.08 when combined with base rate impacts
• Council members will continue refining amendments and must adopt the final budget by Friday, August 15