Lake Oswego adopts updated master fees schedule; public testimony raises affordability concerns

Lake Oswego — The City Council on Dec. 16 adopted Resolution 25-10, updating the master fees and charges schedule to take effect Jan. 1. The vote was 6-0.

Finance Director Sean Cross told the council the version before them reflected no changes from the Nov. 18 study session and that street fees would receive further review in the coming spring. "As far as this version of the master fees and charges that would go into effect January 1, there were no changes," Cross said.

Public testimony: Diane Cassidy spoke during the legislative hearing and urged the council to consider affordability and the impact of recurring utility and association fees on older residents and those on fixed incomes. Cassidy said rising water and sewer bills and higher condo association assessments can force difficult tradeoffs for households on limited budgets and asked the council to prioritize essentials. "We can't live without water ... these things touch people and not just everybody who lives on the lake or has a lot of money," Cassidy said.

Council response and vote: Council discussion was limited; one councilor asked staff to explore options in the spring to reduce pressure on the street fund without decreasing core street resources. Councilor Boop moved to adopt the consented resolution and Councilor Corrigan seconded; the motion passed by voice vote, 6-0.

What it means: The resolution updates the city’s fee schedule; staff signaled further work later next year to evaluate street-fee alternatives and potential mitigation for affordability concerns.