Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stayton council advances biennial budget option after amendment requires annual Budget Committee review
Summary
The Stayton City Council voted 4-1 to approve Ordinance 1070—allowing a biennial (two-year) budget—with an amendment directing staff to plan a robust Budget Committee meeting at least annually to preserve oversight; the amended ordinance returns for final consideration Dec. 16.
The Stayton City Council moved forward with Ordinance 1070 on first reading, adopting a change that would allow the city to operate on a biennial budget while adding an amendment meant to preserve annual review by the Budget Committee.
Finance Director James Brand told the council the proposed ordinance would permit a two-year budget under Oregon law and estimated the change could save roughly 1,000 staff hours. Brand said the change does not eliminate council oversight and that unbudgeted reserves would still be restricted except in emergencies, with the city planning to increase contingency lines for flexibility.
Several councilors raised concerns that permissive language in the ordinance could erode future oversight. Councilor Ord moved to amend the ordinance to replace language that Budget Committee “may” continue to meet with wording that directs staff to plan for a “robust budget committee meeting no less than annually.” Staff recommended language inserted as a new section that would direct staff to schedule an annual review and present spending percentages to the committee.
The amendment passed on a voice vote, and the council then voted on the ordinance as amended. Councilors McDonald, Patty, Sims and Ort voted yes; Councilor Giulio voted no. Because the ordinance was amended, staff said the ordinance will return at the Dec. 16 meeting for final consideration.
The amendment addresses council members’ stated desire to keep the Budget Committee and the public engaged with annual presentations and opportunities for adjustments even if the city shifts to a biennial budget cycle. Supporters said the change preserves staff savings while retaining public review; opponents warned that a two-year adoption could make it harder for newly elected councilors to influence spending if annual review language were not robust.
The council did not finalize adoption that night; the amended ordinance will be agendized again so members can take a final vote on the ordinance language and placement in municipal code.
