Salem council directs staff to refer five-year "livability" levy to voters at 98¢ per $1,000

The Salem City Council voted 8–0 Monday to direct staff to return Feb. 24 with a resolution referring a five-year local option levy to the May ballot at a rate of 98¢ per $1,000 of assessed value.

City staff presented two primary levy scenarios: a 98¢ option and a $1.09 option. Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston told council that the 98¢ scenario would generate an estimated $14 million to $16.6 million over five years, maintain current staffing for parks and recreation and Center 50 Plus, and restore some library hours through three additional full‑time-equivalent positions. Eggleston recommended accountability measures including placing levy revenue into a separate fund and a specific audit to ensure compliance with ballot language.

Public comment at the meeting was strongly in favor of placing a measure on the ballot. Speakers included representatives of the coalition of library, Center 50 Plus and parks advocates; volunteers and nonprofit leaders; and residents who described library and parks programming as essential to community life.

David Levy, chair of the Salem Library Advisory Board, told council the coalition recommended a five-year levy at 98¢ per $1,000 and urged council to develop community trust by demonstrating results over the levy period. Karen Bolliger, representing Center 50 Plus, cited a $13,800,000 budget shortfall the city faces and urged council to put a levy before Salem voters. Carol Snyder of the Salem Parks Foundation described likely maintenance cuts to park services and programming if additional funding is not approved.

Council debate focused on balancing the levy amount to maximize passage chances while funding the services the community requested. Councilors sought language that provides flexibility (for example, describing hours or program outcomes rather than hard staff counts), transparency (a dedicated fund and oversight or steering committee) and clear voter information about the estimated homeowner cost.

City Attorney staff told council the ballot summary has strict word limits but said staff would include an average monthly and annual homeowner cost in revised language where feasible. Council also directed staff to include provisions for a separate fund and an oversight or steering committee to monitor levy spending.

The council made the referral motion after Councilor Nishioka moved to direct staff to bring back a resolution referring the five-year local option levy at 98¢; Councilor Gwynne seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous in favor.

City staff warned that the levy would improve, but not fully eliminate, an anticipated general-fund deficit in later years; other revenue options or cuts would still be needed. Staff said the deadline to place a measure on the May ballot is Feb. 28 and estimated election costs at about $35,000 depending on other jurisdictions’ measures.

The council’s action sends staff back to finalize ballot language and the fund/oversight structure for vote referral on Feb. 24.