Your Tuesday evening update on Salem news
Good evening, Salem.
You’ll soon be paying a higher fee on your monthly city utility bills.
During its Monday, June 12, meeting, the Salem City Council advanced its 2023-24 budget, and set a date to hold a public hearing on a proposed payroll tax.
Councilors unanimously approved the citywide fee schedule, which included an increase to the city operations fee paid on monthly utility bills.
Rates will go up starting July 1, 2023. The fee will increase by $5.50 per month for residential homes, $4.40 per month for multi-family units and $26.51 for industrial, institutional and commercial properties. In January, there will be a second 6.25% increase for inflation.
The group also advanced the $754 million 2023-24 budget, which will go to an adoption vote on June 26.
Mayor Chris Hoy and Councilors Virginia Stapleton, Linda Nishioka, Trevor Phillips, Jose Gonzalez, Vanessa Nordyke and Micki Varney in favor of moving the budget forward.
Councilors Deanna Gwyn and Julie Hoy were opposed, saying that the city needed to make more cuts. Gwyn pointed to spending on homeless services, and Hoy asked about spending at the Salem Public Library.
City Manager Keith Stahley said that he explored scenarios to make reductions, but that city services are already understaffed and that the city faces a revenue rather than spending issue. Councilors who voted in favor said that homeless services and library funding are essential to the community, and save costs with long-term impact.
The council scheduled a public hearing on the proposed payroll tax for Monday, July 10.
Councilors either approved or advanced all other items on the evening’s agenda. Read more about what the council is up lately to in Abbey McDonald’s article here.
Now for some of the day’s other news. Find all our latest stories on our website here.
salemreporter.com
City officials reached a settlement with Clifford Eiffler-Rodriguez three months after he sued the city, alleging police officers shot him at close range with pepper balls and “less than lethal”…
13 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
City officials reached a settlement with Clifford Eiffler-Rodriguez three months after he sued the city, alleging police officers shot him at close range with pepper balls and “less than lethal”…
13 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Thirty-four graduates earned diplomas from Early College High School, the small college prep school located on the Chemeketa Community College campus.
13 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Thirty-four graduates earned diplomas from Early College High School, the small college prep school located on the Chemeketa Community College campus.
13 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Commissioners on Wednesday approved federal funds to upgrade Santiam Hospitals emergency power system. They also approved a homeowner rehabilitation program for low-to-moderate-income Marion County residents.
15 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Commissioners on Wednesday approved federal funds to upgrade Santiam Hospitals emergency power system. They also approved a homeowner rehabilitation program for low-to-moderate-income Marion County residents.
15 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Police say Alberto Avila-Perez lost control of his car, crashing into a boulder, a trailer and an SUV Sunday on Highway 22. Avila-Perez was killed.
13 Jun 2023
salemreporter.com
Police say Alberto Avila-Perez lost control of his car, crashing into a boulder, a trailer and an SUV Sunday on Highway 22. Avila-Perez was killed.
13 Jun 2023
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