Ben Sorensen

speaker

9,257 appearances 42 recordings 1 series first heard Sep 2023 last heard 15 Sep

Ben Sorensen’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.

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recordings per month · last 12 months

Recordings per month over the last 12 months — 12 in all, peaking in Sep 2026 with 4.

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I think shifting the mindset is probably something that we're a little bit challenged with.

And so even this year with that guidance, our staff, our departments came in with requests to the tune of $22.8 million and 92 new positions.

Thankfully, thankfully, I am presenting a preliminary budget

WITH A NET OF ONE NEW POSITION.

WE HAVE LOOKED AT STRATEGIC REDUCTIONS.

THE BUDGET ADVISORY BOARD HAS SUPPORTED US OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH SOME REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS.

SO VARIOUS PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE'VE SHARED WITH THE BUDGET ADVISORY BOARD.

AND THAT IS GOING TO YIELD US ABOUT $3.2 MILLION.

WE'VE CUT POSITIONS SIX TO BE EXACT.

WE ARE NOW BUDGETING FOR ATTRITION.

ACROSS VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE SOME CHALLENGES WITH VACANCIES.

AND WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE IN TERMS OF HOW WE INVEST.

THIS PRELIMINARY BUDGET REFLECTS PRIORITIZATION AND A FOCUS ON PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY.

We think these are the primary areas where investments need to be made, not just for fiscal year 2027, but beyond.

We have a global conflict that is impacting inflation and the cost of goods and services.

We have property tax reform that will be decided by the voters.

WE HAVE UNION NEGOTIATIONS WITH POLICE AND FIRE, OUR TWO LARGEST PERSONNEL GROUPS.

WE ALSO HAVE A CITY HALL PROJECT THAT THE COMMISSION IS CONTEMPLATING.

SO ALL THESE FACTORS HAVE WEIGHED INTO OUR APPROACH IN WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

AS DISCUSSED EARLIER, WE HAVE SHARED THAT MAINTAINING THE MILLAGE RATE IS SOMETHING THAT IS VIABLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

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