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Council adopts ordinance authorizing police and fire services fee framework; rates to be set by later resolution
Summary
Troutdale adopted an ordinance creating a police and fire services fee framework in the municipal code; the council will set actual monthly rates at a future meeting by resolution.
The Troutdale City Council adopted an ordinance establishing chapter 3.36 of the municipal code to create the framework for a monthly police and fire services fee; the ordinance sets billing, administration and appeal rules but does not set the fee amount.
Staff said the ordinance establishes how the fee would be levied and that the council will determine the rate by resolution at a later meeting. The ordinance also restricts the use of fee revenue to police and fire costs and directs administrative procedures for billing and appeals.
Council discussion acknowledged the ordinance would create a new revenue tool the city had avoided for many years, and councilors said they wanted to preserve transparency and consider public engagement on the fee level; staff noted that the fee is intended to respond to significant near-term contract cost increases for public safety. The council adopted the ordinance by roll call vote.
Why this matters: The ordinance creates a new recurring charge on utility or property bills that will raise revenue for police and fire operations; while the ordinance only creates the mechanism, setting the rate will determine the fiscal and household impacts.
What’s next: Council will set the fee level by resolution at a future meeting. Councilors and staff discussed possible voter referral or alternative approaches for major increases, but no referral was scheduled at this meeting.
