Overview
- The vote was 6–2 after weekend negotiations reduced an earlier 30% tax proposal to 20%.
- The increase aims to close an almost $20 million gap and would add about $164 to the average household’s 2026 bill.
- Council paired the hike with targeted changes, trimming the Stop the Violence fund for 2026 with carryover to avoid cuts and restoring the police mounted unit.
- Additional savings include reductions tied to police overtime, and sponsors said no immediate service eliminations are expected.
- Gainey’s office said it will assess business impacts; council members say they can override a veto as residents object following recent county and school tax hikes and the Dec. 31 deadline approaches.