City Manager update: October 2025

October marks one full year since I stepped into the role of City Manager. During the past twelve months, I have had the good fortune to meet and talk with residents, business owners, students, regional leaders, neighborhood associations, and more. These conversations have helped to shape my understanding of the community's priorities, concerns, and aspirations. They've also reinforced what I knew from my time as Deputy City Manager: this is a city full of passionate, thoughtful people who care deeply about where we're headed.

One priority that continues to rise to the top in these conversations is safety. People want to feel secure in their neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. They want to know that help will arrive when it is needed, and that the city is investing in solutions that not only enhance safety but also reflect responsible use of public funds. This is why, when Proposition 4 didn't pass last year, I reconvened the Police Community Advisory Committee to help plan next steps for police priorities and funding options. From these meetings, the committee recommended a multi-source investment strategy to support police services that include:

• Pursuing the new state grant designed to help local departments hire police officers

• Future City Council consideration of the new public safety sales tax

• Proposition 5: A smaller property tax levy on the ballot this fall that would fund up to 13 full-time officers, plus the support positions and resources they need.