Green · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
The Core recreation center finances
Residents praised The CORE at a recent council meeting, and staff stressed the facility is meeting its mission even if revenues aren't huge. Membership is growing, youth fees are being adjusted slightly, and new promos (birthday parties, Parker's Challenge trail access, volleyball at The CORE) are rolling out.
Service Department equipment surplus and replacement (Resolution 2026-R52)
The city's 2019 sewer jet has spent more time in the shop than in service, and parts come from Italy on 14-16 week waits. The $50,000 trade-in toward a versatile $324,672 hydro excavator would let crews do catch basin cleaning, vault cleaning, and safer excavation around fiber lines in-house — but it means spending contingency dollars that won't be available for 2027 paving projects.
2026 Bond Issuances for Streets and Refunding
The amended appropriations request is really about $3.77 million, mostly book entries to fund the escrow that pays off refunded bonds — saving the city $237,000 in interest.
Charter review of parks board role and funding
The Charter Review Commission recommended a 60/40 split and cleaner language describing the park board's advisory role. Council takes it up next; if approved, voters decide.
Outsourcing income tax collection to RITA
Green is moving to hand its income tax collection to RITA, saving an estimated $300K–$350K a year but with a one-month cash-flow gap in 2027. Residents get better online tools, but tax department jobs are affected and uncollected taxes get pursued more aggressively using federal data.
7% Parks Income Tax Set-aside Change
The commission locked in charter language spelling out how the 7% parks income tax allocation can be spent — at least 60% for capital projects, and up to 40% for running parks. This gives the parks department flexibility to use some tax money for operations while protecting most of it for building and fixing things.
RITA Income Tax Collection Contract
The city is moving toward outsourcing income tax collection to RITA. A second reading was taken after an executive session, but action was postponed — Brent Trask's emailed questions on the legislation were also read into the record.