Sherwood budget committee trims books, discusses restoring public-safety hours and new communications post

The City of Sherwood Budget Committee met June 5 to review corrections to the draft fiscal budget and to discuss staffing and revenue options, including a half‑time public safety position that was reduced and a new communications and marketing position funded across multiple city funds.

David Bowdway, Sherwood’s finance director, told the committee, “I sent to the committee some budget changes that need to be done. Everyone should have that packet in front of you.” Bowdway said the changes correct how the beginning fund balance and the reserve for future years were reported in the budget book; department presentations and mid‑year operating numbers were not changed.

The corrections Bowdway identified were limited to the top and bottom of the budget tables, he said, and staff will split combined performance measures by year before the document goes to the full City Council. "Those numbers are still the same," Bowdway said, adding the edits fix columns that had been over‑inflating beginning fund balance and reserves.

Committee members spent most of the discussion on two topics: public safety staffing and a new communications position. Committee member Craig raised concern about reductions in public‑safety staffing, calling public safety “one of our highest priorities.” Committee members said that if enforcement activity (for example, ticketing) increases and additional staff are needed, the city would first use funds already budgeted inside the police department under the city manager’s control and then, if necessary, return to council for supplemental funding. A committee member noted that the City Council also could consider using the Community Investment Fund in a pinch.

On the communications position, Bowdway said the new hire is budgeted with a small amount in the general fund and the remainder split among utility funds and broadband marketing. Bowdway said a similar position had been approved a few years ago but was held off while staff fine‑tuned the job description. The committee discussed the need for coordinated messaging for major projects such as Sherwood West and a forthcoming new city website.

Committee members agreed this position would report to the assistant city manager; the assistant city manager confirmed that communications work would be routed through that office. The precise salary band for the position was discussed as listed in the budget appendix; the committee did not state the exact salary figures in the meeting record and directed members to the appendix for details.

Members also discussed longer‑term revenue options. Committee member Taylor Giles urged the council to convene work sessions to examine ongoing revenue sources, noting that outside capital grants do not flow into the general fund and are not a solution for recurring costs. Participants mentioned transient lodging tax (TLT) and broader property‑tax reform efforts involving the League of Oregon Cities as topics that may affect Sherwood but would require separate public conversations and, in some cases, legislative action.

No formal motions or votes were recorded on June 5. Committee members directed staff to finalize the reporting corrections, split performance measures by year for the budget book, and schedule work sessions on revenue options; the police advisory board was suggested as a future presenter on public safety staffing and enforcement strategy.

The meeting was framed as a working and listening session; there were no public commenters who submitted forms at the start of the meeting, Bowdway said.