Salem

City Council

Agenda Items (8)

This meeting is being conducted in-person and remotely and allows remote attendance by the governing body, when requested. Interested persons may attend the meeting in-person in Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library or watch the meeting in real-time on the City of Salem YouTube Channel, thanks to a partnership with CC:Media. Comcast Cable subscribers can watch on CC:Media Channel 21. Please submit comments on agenda items by 5:00 p.m., or earlier, on the day of the meeting at cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net

OPENING EXERCISES:

Call to Order

APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

DISCUSSION: Options for City Operations Fee Restructuring and Cost Analysis of Service Expansions

Options for City Operations Fee Restructuring and Cost Analysis of Service Expansions Ward(s): All Wards Councilor(s): All Councilors Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe and Healthy Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.

26-56

This item directs city staff to prepare information for the City Council regarding potential adjustments to the City Operations Fee. The fee, established in 2019, is intended to offset the cost of city services and is applied to all improved properties.

Current Fee Structure (as of January 1, 2026):

  • Residential: $16.28 per month
  • Multifamily: $13.02 per unit, per month
  • Commercial, industrial, institutional, and public: $78.47 per account, per month

The motion highlights that the previous utility billing software limited the fee's rate structure. The new system allows for modifications to create a more equitable system, potentially through more specific customer classifications based on service impact or demand.

Financial Context:

  • The Operations Fee is a significant part of the General Fund, budgeted at approximately $15 million for FY2026, representing nearly 10% of the total $182 million General Fund revenue.

Additional Analysis Required:
Staff must also analyze the anticipated costs for implementing several service expansion requests, including:

  • Permanent expansion of the SOS, HST, and CARES teams.
  • Fully staffing two of the six community policing teams.
  • Fully staffing the two ladder trucks.
  • Anticipated future staffing costs for Fire Station 12 (Ward 3).

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