Four upcoming budget committee meetings provide public chance to weigh in on cuts
A Salem budget committee meeting Wednesday, April 16, will give the public a first chance to weigh in on proposed cuts, including the layoff of over half the city’s library workers.
The 2026 budget, which was released on Wednesday, proposes sweeping cuts to city services including cutting public library hours in half, closing the West Salem branch and turning off water fountains and splash pads at many of Salem’s parks.
A series of four upcoming meetings are an opportunity for the public to weigh in on future decisions that are likely to have significant impacts on services in Salem.
The budget committee meeting next Wednesday begins at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at 555 Liberty St. S.E. and Members of the public are encouraged to participate and provide public testimony.
To do so, a pre-registration form to sign up to give testimony remotely will become available between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the meeting. Those interested in providing testimony in-person need to sign up at city hall the day of the meeting before it begins at 6 p.m.
The city’s $764 million budget proposal eliminates about 51 full-time jobs across city departments, most in the library and parks maintenance, as well as two part-time staff members at Center 50+.
The city budget committee is made up of the mayor and all Salem city councilors in addition to nine volunteer members of the public.
The committee will spend the next four weeks meeting on Wednesdays to deliberate over the 2026 city budget proposal, which can include asking questions of city employees and requesting changes. The committee will work to finalize the budget before it is considered and eventually approved by the Salem City Council, which typically happens in June. The 2026 budget will then take effect in July.
Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi is expected to present the budget proposal to the budget committee at the April 16 meeting. People can also provide written testimony by submitting a statement to [email protected]. Written comments can also be dropped off by calling 503-588-6040 by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting to arrange a time to drop off written statements.
The upcoming budget committee meeting will be streamed live in both English and Spanish.
The cuts address a nearly $14 million deficit in the city’s general fund.
They come as city leaders are asking voters to approve a property tax increase to help fund city services on May 20.
If the levy passes, city officials said the sweeping cuts could be avoided.
Salem City Council meeting
Salem city councilors will also meet on Monday for a regular meeting with a light agenda. They will proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, hear reports on new housing projects, and vote to authorize a nearly $200,000 settlement for a Salem man after his house flooded due to a sewer back-up last December, among other items.
How to participate
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, and will be both in-person at the council chambers, 555 Liberty St. S.E., and available to watch online. Members of the public can submit a comment for any item on the council agenda.
To comment remotely, sign up on the city website between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday. The meeting will be livestreamed on the YouTube in English and Spanish.For written comments, email [email protected] before 5 p.m. on Monday, or submit on paper to the city recorder’s office at the Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225. Include a statement indicating the comment is for the public record.
Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.
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Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
