Salem council tables mayoral appointment, hears conservative 2026 budget preview

Law Director Ron Zellers read Mayor Dickey’s written report to the council, noting congratulations to recently elected officials and previewing the administration’s approach to the 2026 budget. "It is a complicated process that requires our input as well as diligent look backs on past years revenues and expenses," the mayor's report said, adding that the administration aimed to "underestimate revenues and cut the non-essentials on the expense side" to protect the city’s bottom line.

The report also said the administration will pay out the final vacation-time carryover from the police fund to reduce future large payouts to retiring officers. "This will alleviate the large payouts to retiring officers at today's pay rate that they earned at the lower rate decades ago," the written report said (read aloud by Law Director Ron Zellers).

Council discussed a mayoral appointment included in the report — Barb Stamp to the Salem Health Board — after a question from the law director about proper procedure for appointments. Citing the mayor’s absence and a desire for clearer documentation, the council voted to table the appointment "based on the legal recommendation of the law director" until the mayor can appear or provide clarification.

The council did not adopt any budget ordinance at the Nov. 5 meeting. The mayor’s report described budget assumptions (conservative revenue estimates, potential external pressures such as inflation and unfunded mandates) but did not specify a dollar total for the 2026 budget in the text read to council.