Overview
- The mayor suspended the planned City Council vote on the proposed 20% increase to third-quarter property tax bills and directed staff to identify further cuts before a special council meeting on July 1.
- The administration says the city faces roughly a $255 million shortfall — about 28–29% of an $800 million operating budget — that it has partly tied to unpaid bills and one-time financing from the prior administration.
- Solomon’s proposal estimated a 20% Q3 rate would raise about $80 million and he is seeking roughly $120 million to $150 million in state transitional aid or loans to close the gap.
- Three council members publicly said they would back issuing Q3 bills at the 20% rate for now, but sources said there were not enough votes to advance the measure before the pause.
- Officials warn that without state aid the city could face a larger tax increase or deep service cuts, and Solomon has scheduled multiple town halls and additional hearings as the budget process continues into July and August.