Your Monday evening update on Salem news
Good evening, Salem.
Salem city councilors will discuss the city’s financial future tonight in a work session at 6 p.m. in Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library’s main branch at 585 Liberty St. S.E.
The discussion will focus on new financial projections that show more money coming into city coffers thanks to a voter-approved property tax increase, a new paid parking system downtown that has already proven to be considerably lucrative, a transition to a new city-run ambulance system, the allocation of opioid settlement funds, and the end of two Urban Renewal Areas.
Despite that, Salem’s budget woes are still forecasted to worsen over the next five years. While the property tax levy bought Salem some time to keep city services without cuts, forecasts show that by 2030, the city will again face a budget deficit in its general fund because expenses like pensions, health insurance and wages continue to rise faster than tax collections.
Councilors will consider city priorities and options for Salem’s ongoing financial health and changes to city services given key developments.
Councilors will also discuss ways to use new city revenues to help improve safety and livability given ongoing concerns about homelessness and cleanliness from a vocal group of business owners and residents.
We’ll have a recap of their discussion and what the forecast shows tomorrow.
Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest Salem news.
www.salemreporter.com
Concerned with safety, Salem business organizations are offering to pay the full costs for two police officers to patrol downtown on bikes. Such bike patrols were eliminated as part of…
www.salemreporter.com
Solterra Hospice, which began accepting patients in November, is a new venture led by a Salem hospice nurse that limits the amount of patients per nurse to 10, far below…
www.salemreporter.com
On Sunday evening, about 920 gallons of raw sewage spilled into Claggett Creek near 1860 Hawthorne Ave. N.E. The spill was caused by a blockage which city crews quickly removed.
www.salemreporter.com
A driver heading southbound on Southeast Commercial Street hit and killed a Salem woman in the early hours of Sunday morning. The woman, Brittany J. Hochstetler, 32, died at the…
www.salemreporter.com
Data shows companies doing business in Oregon are frequently choosing to expand elsewhere. Limited industrial land, taxes and duplicate regulations are among the issues business leaders cite.
www.salemreporter.com
Congress has failed for more than a year to reauthorize the 20-year-old Secure Rural Schools bill costing western states millions, Center for American Progress finds.
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