Stayton finance director reviews first‑quarter spending; staff note rate and infrastructure updates

Finance Director James Brand presented a first‑quarter finance report, explaining that 22% of annual revenues have been collected to date (property‑tax receipts arrive later in the year) and that timing and transfers affect the apparent bottom-line deficit. Brand said intergovernmental revenues were lower compared with the prior year because two ODOT STP payments were received in the earlier year, interest earnings are higher due to current bank rates, and transfers (including $921,000 in ARPA funds and $1,800,000 in SDC funds) are currently counted in ways that double-count some amounts in the report.

Brand said the ARPA funds are being spent on wastewater and stormwater work on Ida Street and that he continues to review investment strategies while prioritizing safety and liquidity. He also introduced Nancy Morris as a bilingual local staff member active in customer service and volunteer work.

In staff communications, the city manager informed council that Republic Services submitted notice of a 2.4% rate increase under an existing council resolution that allows annual adjustments within set parameters. Public works staff addressed complaints about Comcast contractor sidewalk patches, saying those are temporary repairs and that crews are scheduled to return to pour new concrete panels when weather allows. Staff also said the Riverfront Park South project must be bid and contracted in short order to meet funding obligations and may require an extra work session to authorize contract awards.

Councilors had few questions during the finance report and no public comments were offered on the first‑quarter update.