Highland · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Highland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
ESRI GIS Software Renewal
The city's mapping and geographic data software agreement with ESRI was up for a three-year renewal at $42,200 a year. It's the backbone of the city's planning, public works and mapping tools.
Professional Auditing Services Selection
The city is replacing its expiring auditing contract and interviewing top candidate firms to oversee municipal financial compliance.
Fiscal Year End and Carryover Budget Adjustments
The committee managed year-end adjustments and carryovers totaling millions in expenditures and revenues. These tweaks ensure city accounts balance properly and funds roll over for ongoing projects.
Annual Aggregate Mining Tax Rate Adjustment
The city approved a 3.4% Consumer Price Index adjustment to the business license tax on aggregate extraction and processing, bringing the rate to 28 cents per ton with no objections from local mining operators.
Paramedic Special Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
The council voted to keep the annual paramedic tax at $19 for houses and $38 for businesses, which has not changed since 1985 and covers only a fraction of the $2.9 million service cost.
Council Compensation Increase
The council voted to raise monthly council pay to $1,600, bringing it up to maximum state limits after years of lower pay.
CDBG Fund Allocation and Non-Profit Support
Due to a 30% funding cut in federal CDBG grants, the city had to make difficult choices, fully funding code enforcement and street repairs while trimming and reallocating public service grants among the Senior Center, YMCA, and Little League.