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Grants Pass Council hears three applicants for budget committee; appointment set for Wednesday
Summary
The Grants Pass City Council interviewed three candidates—Tony Webb, Jay Meredith and Terry Hopkins—seeking appointment to the city budget committee. Council members asked about financial experience, knowledge of local needs and how each would support council priorities. Council will vote on appointments at a Wednesday meeting.
The Grants Pass City Council on Tuesday interviewed three candidates for vacancies on the city budget committee and scheduled appointment votes at a council meeting Wednesday.
The interviews gave councilors a chance to question applicants about local knowledge, financial experience and how they would align the budget with council goals. Applicants said they would emphasize public involvement and prioritize public safety spending.
Tony Webb, who said he returned to Grants Pass in December, described private- and public-sector experience and cited state guidance on municipal budgeting. "Oregon... requires citizen involvement and public disclosure," Webb told councilors when asked how the budget should serve residents. He said he had prepared event budgets and worked in finance positions in both small business and a large corporation.
Jay Meredith, who identified himself as a former city finance director with 10 years of service, told councilors he sees public safety and the water treatment plant as the city’s top fiscal priorities. "Funding of police and fire is the city's most important... financial thing facing the city right now," Meredith said. He also said budget committee meetings sometimes “dive a little bit too much into policy” and urged the council to complete annual strategic planning before the budgeting process.
Terry Hopkins, president and CEO of the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce, said private-sector perspective and knowledge of restricted funds would help the committee balance competing needs. "I am, currently the president and CEO of the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce," Hopkins said, adding he has worked with tourism and lodging-tax issues and opposed proposed sales and food-and-beverage taxes in prior council discussions.
Councilors pressed each candidate on local knowledge and prior service. Meredith described earlier work on the Josephine County 911 Agency Board, the Rogue Community College budget committee and the Josephine Community Library District budget committee. Webb said he ran for county commissioner in the past and had served on the Southern Oregon Education Service District board; Hopkins noted longstanding chamber and business ties.
City staff said councilors will have a further opportunity to discuss candidates in Wednesday’s meeting, when the council will vote on appointments.
The interviews took place during the council’s workshop and were followed by other agenda items including liaison assignments and discussion of a homelessness workshop.
