Salem council directs staff to return with FY26 budget resolution; moves $50,000 to sustain Church at the Park safe-parking program

The Salem City Council held a public hearing on the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget and directed staff to return on June 23 with a resolution to adopt the budget committee’s recommended FY26 budget with amendments. During the hearing the council also approved an amendment to transfer $50,000 from remaining state sheltering grant funds to help sustain the Church at the Park safe-parking program through part of FY26.

Budget presentation and context Budget Manager Kelly Leinenbach presented the recommended FY26 budget, noting the budget committee reviewed the proposal and that the city would return on June 23 for formal budget adoption. Leinenbach said the recommended budget includes roughly $1,050,000,000 in resources and about $781,000,000 in expenditures across funds and that the local option levy passage restored many positions and services that had been proposed for elimination.

State revenue sharing and use of funds Finance staff presented a separate public hearing earlier on the meeting to accept state revenue sharing funds; staff said Salem expects to receive just under $2.2 million in state-shared revenue that the budget committee recommended continuing to use to offset police patrol service in the general fund. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-12 electing to receive these funds on a recorded vote.

Safe-parking amendment Public testimony in the budget hearing included pleas to restore funding for Church at the Park’s safe-parking program. DJ Vincent, who helps run the program, said the program served 171 people last year across eight church sites and that it operates on about $260,000 per year; site-level monthly costs were about $700 per church for insurance, trash, porta-potties and security, and the day-center operational costs were about $4,500 per month (about $55,000 per year).

Councilor Nishioka proposed an amendment to direct staff to transfer $50,000 from remaining state sheltering grant funds to maintain Church at the Park’s safe-parking program through part of FY26. Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston said the remaining state sheltering grant balance was then estimated at approximately $250,000 for FY27; diverting funds would reduce what remains available for the SOS (safety and outreach) team in FY27. Council debate noted that the transfer would provide a bridge for the program while it seeks new funding; the council approved the $50,000 transfer on a roll-call vote that recorded several nays and one recusal but passed.

Why it matters The council’s direction to return with a budget adoption resolution sets the path to finalize the FY26 budget on June 23; the $50,000 transfer is a short-term budgetary decision intended to keep a community-run safe-parking program operational while other funding is sought.

Votes and next steps - Motion directing staff to return with a resolution to adopt the budget committee recommended FY26 City of Salem budget with amendments: passed (recorded roll call). Staff will return June 23 with the formal adoption resolution and any carryover items for council action. - Amendment to transfer $50,000 from remaining state sheltering grant funds to Church at the Park safe-parking program: approved (recorded roll call). Josh Eggleston and staff to account for the transfer and the remaining balance of state sheltering grant funds in future budgets.