“Councilmembers voted 6-2 in favor of an amendment by Clare Kelly (1st Ward) to remove $3 million from a property tax hike proposed to fund pensions and instead use excess reserves, thereby lowering the total tax levy.”
“Reducing the 2026 levy by $3 million tonight is a big win for residents,” Kelly declared in a statement after the vote. “We have more than enough in unrestricted revenues to absorb this reduction. Going forward, the City must show fiscal restraint and stop unnecessarily collecting money from residents when we have ample unrestricted surplus funds. I’m encouraged that the majority of Council recognized the affordability pressures so many of our residents are facing and voted with me to significantly reduce the proposed levy.”
