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Keizer council delays decision on 10% police services fee after public concern and task-force review
Summary
After a detailed budget briefing and significant public comment, the council voted unanimously to postpone action on a proposed 10% police services fee increase (69¢/month) to the second regular meeting in February 2026 to allow further analysis and outreach.
Keizer City Councilors on Nov. 17 declined to adopt a proposed 10% increase to the police services fee and instead unanimously voted to postpone the matter until the council’s second meeting in February 2026.
Staff presented a financial overview showing the proposed 69¢/month (10%) increase would generate roughly $60,000 in additional revenue for the police department beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Tim Wooden briefed councilors on revenue and expenditure lines that have created an approximate $2 million budget shortfall over the near term and explained that personnel costs are driving most police-fund increases.
Council debate highlighted competing priorities. Several councilors and members of the public emphasized the strain on fixed-income residents and the community amid broader cost pressures. Councilor Christopher summarized his position on taxing authority: "I do not believe that we have the ability to impose discretionary taxes without a vote of the people," and said he will not support a discretionary tax without voter approval. Others supported delaying a decision to allow the public-safety task force and staff to finish call-data analysis and to explore alternatives such as reclassifying commercial accounts on an ESU basis, contingency use, or interfund transfers.
Multiple community members, including Tammy Kunz of the Community Diversity Committee and representatives of neighborhood associations, urged caution because of household budget pressures and food-security concerns. Budget committee member Joe Grant commended the police but urged the council to pursue alternatives that do not further burden households.
Councilor Christopher moved to postpone action on agenda item 9c to the second regular meeting in February 2026; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff committed to provide additional call-data visualizations and to continue work with the public-safety task force prior to the rescheduled decision.
