Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem city councilors on Monday will consider adopting the city budget for 2022-23, and vote on a final list of projects to be included in an infrastructure bond expected to go before voters in November.
The $736 million budget would add new city employees in several departments to keep up with rising demand for services, including human resources, parks operations and firefighters.
Councilors will also vote on a finalized project list for the city’s expected $300 million infrastructure bond. The list includes repairs and upgrades to streets, bridges and sidewalks around Salem, parks improvements, new city fire trucks and land purchases for future fire stations and branch libraries. If voters approve the bond in November, it would replace expiring bonds and wouldn’t raise property tax rates.
The council will also consider adopting a capital improvement plan for the next five years, which outlines projects including building a new public works operations building, a skate park at Geer Park, several major street improvement projects, acquiring land near the intersection of State Street and Cordon Road N.E. for a future city park, stormwater system improvements and other projects. The plan calls for about $279 million in capital projects over the next five years.
Councilors will also vote on a list of projects to submit to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to Schools program. The state program provides competitive grant funds for road and sidewalk improvements intended to make it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school. The city’s list includes seven projects for the 2023-24 cycle, which would add improvements near Englewood, Swegle, Washington, Mary Eyre, Morningside and Grant elementary schools and Waldo and Crossler middle schools.
To participate: The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday and is streamed live on YouTube. Submit comments on agenda items by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting at [email protected]. Public comment and testimony may also be provided during the meeting via Zoom. Please pre-register between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting at the following link: https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/city-council-mayor/how-to-give-public-comment-at-salem-city-council-and-budget-committee-meetings
-Rachel Alexander
