[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6557496,"mediaKeyId","3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e","parentId",3291343,"title","Police chief briefs committee on staffing pressures; committee approves fee increase and orders review","audioSeconds",169,"startMs",3866000,"endMs",4035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e&start=3866&end=4035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e/thumbnail_3866000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557496/Keizer/Marion-County/Oregon/Police-chief-briefs-committee-on-staffing-pressures-committee-approves-fee-increase-and-orders-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557496-6d90fee7894c830597ff766d00163378/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138134&Signature=Kwumiy4LAA8PgHLmtN2kNEt4pvcOF5El2MiZ1DPgEjiNppmTi4QQ1eFw14g4WRZvDeBOx53IqfTwhA6W6EoONHr7Y4lOFspqh9Vhmxita6Md9O5R4MV44OWeCUTaWrrxu92mK8evt4oUDJxiZz8lBo4VCi9A0mnnMUodvF-BQbbIdL-9NOhucGsrJdPoKQXbReEuaAIkFk6PG0B4s9u1zVnZ1~qJcbrrvtfsmd0LwVUVnEDnSRCcoRVXHtoBcG4f8ErXoVp484QwhfoeOC40Bko1sHTCcVZKu6anmpSUhUlzuSYczX6t0psURa9HfW6fN~BHH0GYaEoFO3n8Q11IPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Keizer, OR","date","2025-05-14T05:01:00Z","article","Chief Copeland told the Budget Committee that Keizer is grappling with staff recruitment and retention, noting multiple officers have left for higher pay elsewhere and that detectives carry caseloads of 12–20 active investigations. He outlined spending pressure areas for the department: personnel costs, dispatch (WVCC) contract increases, equipment (license-plate readers, drones, tasers with cloud subscriptions), vehicle rotation and uniform/duty gear.

Chief’s examples and staffing context:
- Patrol officers reported they were behind on reports due to call volume; a patrol officer described being \"down 15 reports\" and then called back out to the field.
- Several personnel positions remain vacant; the department has hired some new officers but has struggled to sustain full staffing.
- The department highlighted discretionary programs under consideration (community education campaigns tied to opioid-settlement funds, BLAST Camp youth outreach) that depend on having discretionary personnel time.

Committee action on fees and funding:
- The committee approved a 10% increase to the police service fee; the committee also directed staff to form a task force to study whether the fee distribution should be more closely tied to account type (impervious-area or otherwise) so that large commercial accounts pay proportionally more. Because the committee approved the FY2025–26 budget before the fee would take effect (Jan. 1, 2026), they authorized using contingency funds to hold the police department whole for FY2025–26 and asked that the task force report back with recommendations and an implementation timeline.

Quotes:
- Chief Copeland: “We have 5 general detectives and each one of those detectives is carrying somewhere between 12 and 20 cases at any time.”
- Chief Copeland: “We’re trying to be smarter with what we do… drones have been kind of a game changer.”

Next steps: creation of the police-fee task force (staff to propose membership and schedule) and staff to return with options for fee allocation by account type and revenue modeling to show the trade-offs between household impacts and commercial contributions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Committee 5-13-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Keizer’s police chief described staffing shortages and growing operating costs; the committee approved a 10% police service fee increase and asked staff to form a task force to study fee equity.","taxTitle","Keizer, Marion County, Oregon","taxId",54436,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557501,"Committee approves parks fee bump; funds earmarked to finish Bob Newton Family Park",1767,1209000,2976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e&start=1209&end=2976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e/thumbnail_1209000.jpg","/articles/6557501/Keizer/Marion-County/Oregon/Committee-approves-parks-fee-bump-funds-earmarked-to-finish-Bob-Newton-Family-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557501-9600422c616032ce9d3d590c64723447/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138134&Signature=Vdi9A3-MAn0y~CON6ntEzSb4wsI7dHRj-9LAiQ0sz4-bF4sW51duY15oR9-Qwxg5JmdQEcq458uuNianM93R0X8-N~eyowRIfrT~6Qh0I7c8r35o59XwpZHTtZP1FlKu7wS233B3GcjwyPlSjnzkUqKSxgK3W6-2V~5IimIlYiRA5u2OvIAi0St~mj0z1IGg8yOw8CUppkiHSXVSM-Vz761DQh4VAAETR5K02cr6Gn87M-jUvzy32PVxg0WIBsDcIHOIFMh6owZuUsva32nCJSg41hF3HMGLvq9PpiPT~Ge7JbrhsBfyimmToRBECTfvzE3DdTDWuIbpQieWlaaWQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keizer Budget Committee approved a $0.50 monthly parks fee increase on May 13, a measure staff said will mainly support completion of the Bob Newton Family Park project and other park improvements in the coming year.

What staff presented: the parks-related transfer/budget items include an estimated budget line (in the presentation) of approximately $360,800 and then a larger figure near $398,200 (different lines cited in the presentation for transfers and project costs). Bill Lawyer (staff) summarized the work described in the budget: resurfacing, relocating the tennis court slightly south to free parking space, constructing paved parking stalls along the alley (not paving the alley itself), and a 6-foot-wide concrete pedestrian path connecting Mandarin Way to the relocated tennis court and new playground. Staff also identified other anticipated park needs in future years, such as playground replacements, skate-park maintenance and equipment rotation.

Why the fee: staff said the parks fee increase would bring an estimated $84,000 in additional parks revenue and that the revenue would be used to finish the Bob Newton Park project and other capital items. Committee members asked for the parks board to be more closely involved in long-range planning and asked staff to include a capital-improvement plan and projected sinking-fund list in future materials.

Committee guidance: the committee approved the $0.50 fee increase and directed staff to continue work on the Bob Newton completion tasks and provide follow-up materials on schedule and outreach. Councilors discussed outreach and whether the project timeline could be split over multiple fiscal years if additional fund-raising or state matching funding became available.

Quote:
- Bill Lawyer, staff: “The bulk of that is for completion of Bob Newton Park … resurfacing and, I’m gonna say, relocating the tennis court a little bit to the south to provide more room for parking … and then connecting over to the new playground.”

Next steps: Parks staff to implement the capital work plan funded by the adopted fee increase, provide a timeline for completion and report back to the committee and council on progress and any supplemental appropriations if necessary.","The committee approved a $0.50 monthly parks fee increase to help complete Bob Newton Family Park and support other park improvements after staff described a $360,800–$398,200 schedule of park-related spending and project components.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557506,"Finance director outlines utility fee changes; residential bills rise modestly",120,765000,885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e&start=765&end=885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e/thumbnail_765000.jpg","/articles/6557506/Keizer/Marion-County/Oregon/Finance-director-outlines-utility-fee-changes-residential-bills-rise-modestly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557506-50afbedca6f952348ac6138056cc550d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138134&Signature=RbKdscnjtN85h3fFr5VjeooLCaQyRlthQAg0TJPalzDyCpv4K8g~MYH0Dp3gkRFz7xYo1Sm3TkL73kmyj98uI7TEGu94EC7HOmiJcxcbLi9WhRJr-3ZmPMQtqkM42Jby0Vz7X-hK5iH65Oh6lR2QiIaPXJv7Fj255xIcCdJpI1BpdoYL~9LFzvi8RlbhxihuG31nGCVJG8qcqbabT6Mw1EinQ6xb~8Ibjn34~mIsHpi8c1ouiLTh9uEJyHdkZBKU4xxGwXXcsNcy85m5Yg5L2J1zr7Gw1DdGCtEw3G5B0YQDZ~Yx9W4Oayn1S6mmcmo0y2DhZUknAU6EKKHZItqjiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Tim Wood presented a multi-page analysis of proposed utility fee changes and their impacts on customers during the May 13 Keizer Budget Committee meeting. The materials compared single-family, multifamily and commercial sample bills and explained how revenue would be used for capital projects and ongoing operations.

Key figures from the presentation:
- Water: manager-recommended increase of 1% (net revenue ~ $15,000), estimated at $0.19 per month for a residential account, to support water-main replacements.
- Stormwater: staff originally proposed a larger increase to address several unplanned capital projects and a long interval without a fee increase (no increase since Jan. 2020); the manager’s materials described a larger request but the committee ultimately amended the increase to a 3% fee and indexed future increases to CPI.
- Police and parks service fees: staff presented monthly-per-account amounts; the final committee action raised the parks fee $0.50 per month and the police service fee was increased by ~10% (effective Jan. 1, 2026) coupled with a committee direction to form a task force to evaluate fee distribution across account types.

Wood explained the billing comparators and noted a formula error in the draft residential water example he corrected during the meeting. He highlighted that multifamily samples can read differently because parks and police fees are assessed per unit in multifamily cases; commercial customers typically receive one service charge per utility account.

Committee members questioned whether the city had done sufficient direct outreach and whether rolling fee changes through utility bills was the preferred method for community revenue. Staff explained they used newspaper notices, social media and radio, and that more outreach was planned for any large future changes.

The committee approved the water increase (1%) and, after discussion, adopted a smaller stormwater increase (3%, CPI-indexed) than initially proposed. The police fee increase was adopted as part of the police services fund action; committee members requested a short-term task force to study commercial/residential equity and alternate charge methods.

Quotes:
- Tim Wood, finance director: “So when we look at a residential customer ... they'd be looking at a monthly increase of $3.97” (water + sewer examples shown; corrected during presentation when a formula error was found).
- Wood on stormwater: “We haven't increased the fee since January 2020, so it has been many years.”
- Committee discussion repeatedly returned to outreach and whether additional listening sessions were needed; staff said they used the Keizer Times, radio and social media and would expand efforts for larger proposals.

Next steps: staff will update utility billing schedules and public notices, implement the adopted fee changes, and provide the stormwater follow-up plan the committee requested.","City finance staff presented a multi-fund utility-fee package that includes small water increases, a stormwater increase that was later reduced by the committee, and separate police and parks charges added to utility bills. Staff and committee members discussed outreach, billing mechanics and impacts on multifamily and commercial customers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557510,"Budget committee finalizes 2025–26 budget, tax rate and a slate of fee changes",13617,658000,14275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e&start=658&end=14275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291343-55b88114161de2771950f71cc268a46e/thumbnail_658000.jpg","/articles/6557510/Keizer/Marion-County/Oregon/Budget-committee-finalizes-202526-budget-tax-rate-and-a-slate-of-fee-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557510-0cdb610646c0cf04f98b5d26947decda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138134&Signature=YXu7msyBMS40TKtijN9qCbv9ZX74oj7BUf6YfAwWExqztacoN~uyzPVXGay8r6T4a2l23OY7UT2CxpFlai281-dMJpLAusFIolWkC5ZiAowj3OSF6e7Qb5tW8IRxe40Qx9gL8aYuaO94be7RLJpuVQIlC6M7l7Kz3SifY6pCqrPyMZX0prZEha2ppGqY37fuDY2I9IZc7Y1j2CT~YGYjM3R8hS78lZfHW9grPZWgY~Xe~w5i8z3D1Ja9HWejmvlUYImGWvRJjKGzTT5zVHY0EFrPRL4EBs1mExS6EPhcRYKQfonW9XdihTvEuLzBoX8gicEHlFHC~DW8iQK46RTP4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keizer Budget Committee adopted the city’s fiscal 2025–26 budget at a special meeting May 13 and set the permanent property tax rate at $2.0838 per $1,000 of assessed value. Committee members also approved a number of fund-specific budgets, fee changes and transfers.

Key votes and outcomes (motions taken during the May 13 meeting):
- Budget approval: Committee approved the full 2025–26 budget of $74,884,400 (voice vote after deliberations and amendments). Mover: Vice Chair Kyle Duran; second: Councilor Daniel Kohler.
- Permanent tax rate: Committee approved setting the permanent rate at $2.0838 per $1,000 of assessed value (voice vote). Mover: Vice Chair Kyle Duran; second: Councilor Daniel Kohler.
- Parks fee: Committee approved a 50-cent-per-month increase to the city’s parks fee (effective with the budget). The motion passed by recorded count after roll-call discussion (6 yes / 5 no). Mover for the successful amendment/motion: Councilor Susan London; second: Councilor Marlene Parsons.
- Water system: Committee approved the water fund budget including a manager-recommended 1% rate increase (motion moved by Councilor Laurie Christopher; second by Councilor Marlene Parsons; voice vote: passed).
- Water facility replacement fund: Approved (voice vote; moved by Councilor Laurie Christopher; second by Councilor Marlene Parsons).
- Stormwater: Committee amended the manager’s proposed increase and approved a 3% stormwater fee increase, indexed to CPI, and directed staff to return with next steps; budget passed as amended (voice/show-of-hands vote; amendment moved by Councilor Laurie Christopher; second accepted).
- Police service fee: Committee approved a 10% increase to the police service fee (to be effective Jan. 1, 2026) and directed the creation of a short task force to evaluate fee distribution across account types; the committee funded the department for FY2025–26 by drawing the remainder from contingency so the department’s budget is not reduced this year. The amendment to fund part-year cost from contingency passed and the police services fund budget passed subsequently (amendment/motion sequence in transcript).
- Transient lodging (TOT) and event-related allocations: Committee amended the TOT budget to shift small program items (including a $2,900 move from the PEG fund for parade-related costs) and to add funding for chamber and heritage requests. Motion passed (mover: Councilor Christopher; second: Mayor Clark).
- ARPA and PERS actions: Committee approved allocations for ARPA carryovers and authorized a plan for a short-term internal loan and a permanent financing approach to address the city’s PERS 457/retiree-account issues (FERS obligation fund creation and related transfers approved).
- Other funds: Event Center, PEG (public education and government) fund, Keizer Youth Peer Court, housing rehabilitation revolving loan, energy-efficiency revolving loan, Keizer Station LID debt service and other routine funds were approved as presented (voice votes).

Where recorded tallies are available the article lists them above. Many routine fund votes were taken by voice or show-of-hands and recorded as passed in the transcript; where a roll call was used (parks fee) the committee recorded counts in the transcript. The committee made several amendments during the meeting; staff noted where contingency or ending fund balance would be used to hold budgets whole for the coming year.

What the votes mean: Together the votes set the city’s spending plan and the baseline tax rate for 2025–26, begin phased utility fee updates and preserve operations amid a projected general-fund shortfall by relying on reserves and vacancy savings in the near term. Committee members also directed staff to continue outreach and to form a task group to reexamine how certain fees (notably the police fee) are distributed among account types.

The transcript contains the full motions and who moved/seconded each item; the committee closed the meeting after passing the remaining standing funds and motions.","Keizer’s budget committee on May 13 approved the city’s $74.884 million 2025–26 budget, set the permanent tax rate and adopted or amended multiple fee changes and spending decisions including a parks fee increase, a 1% water rate rise, a stormwater fee adjustment and a 10% police service fee increase (part-year funded from contingency).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police chief briefs committee on staffing pressures; committee approves fee increase and orders review

Committee approves parks fee bump; funds earmarked to finish Bob Newton Family Park

Finance director outlines utility fee changes; residential bills rise modestly

Budget committee finalizes 2025–26 budget, tax rate and a slate of fee changes