The first saw City Council remove $27 million from a proposed $37 million City Hall facility project as part of a budget amendment.
The second was an approval of a notice of intent to retain $10 million in the form of certificates of obligation that will go toward land acquisition for the facility.
During the June 8 meeting, city staff explained that certificates of obligation do not require an election, so the $10 million authorized through that action will be allocated to the city's budget should it officially pass after a public hearing planned for Aug. 10.
During the public comment period of council's June 22 meeting, several residents wrote in to the city to express their frustration with City Council's previous consideration of certificates of obligation for the bulk of the cost to build a new City Hall facility.
The main source of contention stemmed from the fact that certificates of obligation do not require an election and essentially allow the city to allocate money that could result in raised property taxes without voter consent.
Council took action during its June 22 meeting that shifted strategy away from financing the project through certificates of obligation and directed city staff to prepare for a May 2022 general obligation bond election in support of the development of a new City Hall. Council also directed staff to establish a citizen bond committee toward that goal.
Deputy City Manager Trey Fletcher said between $22,000-$32,000 would be sufficient to pay for a needs assessment for a new City Hall facility.
The deadline to call a May 2022 election, according to the state, is Feb. 18.
"I think the voters will approve a new City Hall if we explain to them what we're doing and how we're doing it," Council Member David Rogers said.
