Votes at a glance: Klamath Falls council approves budget moves, annexation and planning documents; sewer code updates introduced

The Klamath Falls City Council took several legislative actions during its Jan. 6, 2025 meeting, including budget adjustments, a land annexation and the adoption of an economic-analysis document. The council approved the actions listed below; where a roll call occurred the meeting record shows the motion carried and the city manager read the ordinance or resolution by title.

Votes at a glance

- Supplemental budget resolution (2023–2025 biennial budget): The council adopted a resolution to amend the 2023–2025 biennial budget for the general fund and an economic development property fund to add design costs for Air National Guard projects and to create a $1,000,000 housing reserve fund. Director Jessica Lindsey presented the proposal. The council approved the resolution by roll call. (Resolution read by title: "A resolution adopting a supplemental budget for the 2023 to 2025 biennial budget period within the general fund and economic development property fund.")

- Water fund transfer (8th Street Geothermal Project Phase 2): The council approved a resolution transferring appropriations within the water fund to pay design costs and to purchase pipeline needed to accelerate the geothermal phase 2 project, with staff stating an additional $60,000 was required to avoid delaying construction until summer 2026. Jessica Lindsey presented. The resolution was approved by roll call. (Title at reading: "A resolution adopting a transfer of appropriations for the 2023 to 2025 biennial budget period within the water fund.")

- Sewer-use ordinance (first reading): The council introduced, by title only, an ordinance amending City Code sections 4.100 through 4.186 (the sewer-use ordinances) to update the municipal code on fats, oils and grease (FOG) and related Environmental Quality (EQ) compliance items. City Attorney Michael Swanson presented the update; the ordinance was read for first reading and no public testimony was given.

- Special ordinance — annexation (second and final reading): The council passed a special ordinance annexing an approximately 5.48-acre property (address not specified in the reading) on second and final reading; the city manager read the ordinance by title and the council recorded a roll call showing the motion carried.

- Special ordinance — Economic Opportunities Analysis and comprehensive-plan amendment (second and final reading): The council adopted a special ordinance adopting the "Klamath Falls Economic Opportunities Analysis" and amending the Klamath Falls Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. The planning manager Joelle presented; the ordinance passed on second and final reading.

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda, including routine items noted on the agenda (audit oversight committee appointments and the fourth-period budget analysis report for the 2023–2025 biennial budget).

- Election of council president: The council nominated and voted by voice to elect Abby McClungdon as council president for the year; the motion carried by voice vote.

Other items

- Charter Communications channel programming cost notice: Staff notified the council that Charter Communications provided notice of upcoming programming cost increases passed through to cable subscribers; this was informational and no council vote was required.

How this matters

Council actions create a $1 million housing reserve funded through recent land sale proceeds and interest transfers and allow the city to advance design and early procurement for a geothermal pipeline project to avoid multi-year supply delays. The annexation and the Economic Opportunities Analysis amend the city's land-use framework; the sewer ordinance amendments will update municipal sewer-use code to align with state EQ and FOG requirements. The council recorded votes or voice approvals where indicated; staff and presenters indicated next steps and implementation tasks will follow departmental processes.