Council appoints Mel Fuller to Ward 5 seat on budget committee

The Salem City Council appointed Mel Fuller to the open Ward 5 seat on the city's budget committee at a special meeting on March 24, 2025.

Councilor Irvin Nishioka moved to cancel the planned interviews and appoint Mel Fuller; Councilor Teigen seconded the motion. The council approved the appointment by roll-call vote. Mayor Julie Hoy and councilors Varney, Teigen, Nishioka, Gwynn, Brown and Nordyke voted aye; Councilor Matthews was absent.

Councilors and the candidate discussed timing and readiness. Councilor Nishioka said the budget committee starts in less than a month and that having an appointee in place would allow the new member to prepare. Councilor Nordyke said the vacancy had been posted for months and supported appointing a ready volunteer. Councilor Gwynn and Councilor Brown expressed reservations that Fuller is also running for school board and that holding both roles could create competing demands.

Mel Fuller introduced herself at the podium and said she is self-employed doing court transcription and has been an active volunteer. Fuller said she has watched previous budget committee meetings, has experience working with seniors and nonprofit budgets, and ‘‘can assure you that the time commitment is not [a barrier].’’ She told councilors she would ask for help and mentorship while preparing for the committee's work.

Councilors asked Fuller about specific experience and priorities: Councilor Nordyke asked whether she had watched prior budget committee meetings and about familiarity with the workload; Fuller said she had started following meetings in November. Councilor Gwynn asked about how she would handle public-facing criticism during a difficult budget year; Fuller said she keeps an ‘‘even keel’’ and tries to listen so people feel heard. Councilor Brown asked how council or committee members could help her prepare; Fuller asked them to meet with her and share lessons learned.

Before the vote the mayor invited Fuller to the committee so she could be involved promptly in the upcoming budget cycle.

The appointment fills the Ward 5 vacancy on the budget committee; the council took no other formal action tied to Fuller's possible school board candidacy.