City Council adopted the proposed budget for the 2012-2014 biennium at its June 5th meeting.
This was the City’s first biennium budget. Biennial budgeting allows more time for long‐term planning, program review, and evaluation, and allows the Budget Committee to dig deeper into issues during the years they don’t have to help craft the budget while still preserving the ability to offer annual updates on budget estimates and annual reports as requested by City Council.
Some of the key elements of the passed budget include moving away from the printed and mailed version of the city’s monthly newsletter to a monthly utility bill stuffer and on-line-only issue, making the initial two payments to TriMet for the light rail project, a reduction of 3.57 Full Time Employees by not filling several current vacancies, and utility rate increases to provide necessary funding for planned capital improvement projects. With a forecast of declining revenues in the years to come, the budget also calls for a reduction on the operations budget, and spending down of reserves.
Printed copies of the city’s newsletter will be made available at City Hall and at the Ledding Library, and those interested can subscribe to receive The Pilot online through the City’s website.
