Budget and Taxes

Dan always keeps in mind that City budget and tax decisions have real impacts on individuals and businesses in our community.

Dan believes it is important to keep spending in line by carefully considering new programs, including their full impacts both short and long term, as well as by seeking efficiency and shared services with other cities or entities.  During his time in office, with the exception of key infrastructure sustainability investments such as the park and fire station bonding, the City budget has primarily consisted of maintaining City services as efficiently as possible without addition of significant new programs.

Over time, Dan has helped lead the council and staff toward a set of standardized budget documents that help to increase understanding and transparency of budget and tax decisions.  He is committed to continuously improving budget communications, public input, and transparency.  A key partner in budgeting and financial decisions for the City is the new Finance Commission of citizen advisors.

Dan also is a strong supporter of growing the City’s tax base of both commercial and residential property values.  Balanced tax base growth in both sectors helps to mitigate cost growth in the City budget and tax levy by increasing the total property value over which any tax levy increase is applied.