Council directs staff toward a moderate urban reforestation pace and fee model (Model 2)

Marion’s urban forestry staff reviewed the city’s 10‑year urban reforestation plan and three implementation models at the Dec. 16 council meeting, seeking direction on planting pace, maintenance and funding.

Mike Semperich said the city currently plants about 1,000 trees annually and has adopted a strategy to increase canopy after significant storm and pest losses. The staff presented three models: Model 1 (low intensity, ~250 in‑house trees/year; small fee increase but a very long timeline), Model 2 (250 in‑house + 750 contracted plantings annually, shorter timeline ~25 years and a moderate utility fee increase), and Model 3 (750 in‑house + larger contracted volumes, an aggressive 10‑year timeline with higher utility fee impact near $11.50/month eventually).

Semperich said all models include a proactive maintenance program for young trees and that he recommended Model 2 as a responsible middle ground; several council members favored Model 3’s speed but were concerned about rate impacts. The council asked about survival rates (staff reported ~80% survival for smaller stock and higher for some projects) and grant opportunities to offset costs (staff: grants can help but often require matches and public‑property deployment).

Council signaled preference to begin with Model 2, asking staff to return with refined cost estimates, grant‑offset scenarios and an annual review schedule; staff indicated any utility fee adjustments would appear in the FY27 budget cycle and that policy amendments on right‑of‑way tree standards will follow in early 2026.