Grants Pass council hears interviews from three applicants to budget committee

Three residents interviewed for open seats on the Grants Pass City budget committee during the council's workshop, with councilors saying they will vote on appointments at the next regular meeting.

Tony Webb, Jay Meredith and Terry Hopkins each outlined relevant experience and answered questions from councilors about priorities for the city's budget and how they would contribute if appointed. Councilors asked about the applicants' knowledge of local needs, time availability, and prior budget or nonprofit experience.

Councilor Victoria asked Webb what he saw as the most important financial issue facing the city; Webb cited local economic conditions and public engagement and said he had reviewed the “Oregon Department of Revenue guidelines for a city budget” to prepare. Webb described private‑ and corporate‑finance experience, including work preparing SEC reports, and said citizen involvement and public disclosure were vital.

Jay Meredith, who identified himself as a former finance director for the city, told the panel that “funding of police and fire is the city's most important financial thing right now” while also noting the water‑treatment plant as a top priority. Meredith described experience on several local budget committees and boards — including the Josephine County 911 Agency Board, the Josephine Community Library District budget committee and Rogue Community College's budget committee — and said he could help align allocations with council priorities.

Terry Hopkins, who said he is president and CEO of the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce and a longtime local business owner, emphasized collaboration and knowledge of restricted funds such as lodging tax revenues. He said he opposed recent tax proposals he viewed as premature and described a desire to be part of the solution by serving on the budget committee.

City staff and councilors reminded applicants that the budget committee's role is to appropriate resources consistent with council direction, not to set policy. City management staff told applicants the council would have a separate strategic‑planning process that would help define priorities before the committee allocates resources.

The council concluded the interview portion of the workshop by saying appointments will be considered in the council's next meeting, giving councilors time to deliberate and staff time to provide any follow‑up information the council requests.