Troutdale council adopts $15 monthly police and fire fee and approves three‑year sheriff IGA amid budget gap

Troutdale — The Troutdale City Council voted June 10 to adopt a $15 monthly police and fire services fee charged on city utility bills and approved a separate three‑year intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office to continue local law enforcement services.

City Finance Director Eric Mueller told the council the fee was the assumption built into the city’s 2025–26 budget and that it is intended to help close a shortfall created by rising contract costs for police and fire. "The budget that was adopted incorporates approximately $1,400,000 into the general fund for the funding of public safety costs," Mueller said during the meeting.

The fee decision followed extended council discussion about whether to set a higher monthly rate now or keep the amount lower and revisit it later. One councilor said council members themselves "will all have to pay this fee ourselves," using the point to argue for keeping the burden visible to elected officials. Another councilor urged a higher rate, saying a larger amount now would give the city more breathing room if other long‑term options do not succeed.

Why it matters: Troutdale contracts with Multnomah County for police and with Gresham for fire protection; both contracts have produced rising costs that city staff said threaten other general‑fund services without new revenue. City staff and several councilors told residents the fee is intended as a stopgap while the city evaluates longer‑term options, including the potential formation of a fire district or other revenue measures.

Details and context

- Use and limits: City staff said the fee is restricted to public‑safety uses (police and fire) under the municipal code change the council adopted earlier this spring. Eric Mueller described the $15 figure as the amount the budget committee used when balancing the 2025–26 budget.

- Distribution and scale: Finance staff estimated the fee, at $15 per month, would generate…