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Tualatin adopts policy allowing city-funded meals and apparel for officials under budget guidance
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 5924-25 on Oct. 27, 2025, authorizing the city manager to expend budgeted funds for food, beverage and apparel for elected and appointed public officials under parameters modeled on the state Department of Administrative Services guidance and as a workaround to a May 2025 Oregon Government Ethics Commission advisory.
Tualatin, Ore. — The City Council on Oct. 27 adopted Resolution 5924-25, a policy that authorizes the city manager within budget law to provide food, beverage and apparel for elected and appointed public officials in specified circumstances.
Kevin McConnell, the city attorney, told the council that a May 2025 advisory opinion by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission restricts elected and appointed officials from accepting food or other items of value unless there is express budgetary or policy authorization. McConnell said the adopted policy mirrors Department of Administrative Services-style budget guidance and does not amend officials’ formal compensation packages, avoiding the need for intervening elections or potential tax complications.
Under the resolution, the city manager may authorize expenditures for food and beverage at council, board and commission meetings and for specified city events, using funds lawfully adopted in the city budget. Councilors moved, seconded and approved the resolution by roll call during the meeting.
The council did not discuss specific budget line-item amounts in the meeting; each expenditure is required to comply with the city's financial policies and adopted budget.
