Scappoose resident presses council for public accounting after reported shortfall

A Scappoose resident told the City Council on Jan. 20 that residents deserve public, on‑the‑record explanations for recurring general‑fund shortfalls and full disclosure of police employment contracts before the city asks voters for new revenue.

“My name is Alicia Higgas and I'm a resident of Scappoose,” Higgas said during public comment, citing the city's December financial report and saying the general fund was “operating at a negative retained earnings position of approximately $736,000.” She urged the council to provide a clear accounting in public and to disclose employment contracts for police chiefs so residents can judge long‑term personnel costs.

Higgas said the expense of newly hired police officers was accounted for in the adopted budget and that the police department’s activity report shows only a modest increase in calls, arguing that service volume does not explain persistent cost escalation. She also said a public records request had returned several contracts but not those for “police chief Lewellen and former chief Lugol,” and that no legal exemption had been cited for withholding them.

City manager Ben Bergener replied after public comment, directing Higgas to prior correspondence that explained which employees have contracts and which do not. Bergener later corrected a detail in the meeting packet, saying the current report shows roughly a $700,000 surplus rather than a deficit.

Councilors did not vote on a specific follow‑up during the meeting. Higgas asked the council to provide equal disclosure of employment contracts and “a public on the record explanation of recurring general fund overruns” before proposing bonds or levies.

The council’s discussion signaled interest in clarifying budget reporting; the city manager and staff plan to follow up with correspondence and budget detail at future meetings.