Action: Tell City Council to Make Public Education and Safety the Budget Priority

On March 17th, the School Board approved a budget resolution to send to City Council that included asking for $20.3 million in additional funds in order to provide a 3.66% raise (above the 1.34% VRS contribution and tax impact of that contribution), continue equity adjustments in the unified pay scale, and decrease the school division’s reliance on one-time reversion funds to balance the operating budget.

On March 24th, the City Manager proposed a budget that only provides approximately $11 million in additional funding for the school division through a dedicated real estate tax increase of two cents. His proposed budget increases real estate taxes by another 4 cents, with 2 cents dedicated to the city’s operating budget which will be used in part to fund raises for city employees and an additional 2 cents dedicated to finding light rail. The overall real estate tax increase is 6 cents, or 6.4%.

Use the form below to email all members of City Council to let them know to make public education, safety and our vital city services priority in their budget.