Baker council adopts five 2026 tax and license ordinances in voice votes
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Summary
The Baker City Council held public hearings and adopted five 2026 ordinances — sales and use tax, insurance license tax, occupational license tax, chain store license tax, and alcoholic beverage tax — all approved by voice vote after motions and seconds; record shows 'Ayes have it' without individual roll‑call tallies.
The City of Baker council held public hearings and adopted five 2026 ordinances that the attorney presented as measures to provide revenue for municipal services.
The council considered and approved the following ordinances by voice vote after motions and seconds were recorded: Ordinance 2026‑1 (sales and use tax), Ordinance 2026‑2 (insurance license tax), Ordinance 2026‑3 (occupational license tax), Ordinance 2026‑4 (chain store license tax), and Ordinance 2026‑5 (alcoholic beverage tax). Each ordinance's title and statutory basis were read into the record by the city attorney before the council acted.
How the council voted: For each ordinance the meeting record shows a motion (commonly moved by a council member identified by surname, e.g., Murphy) and a second (recorded by name in the minutes when provided) followed by a voice vote. The chair announced 'Ayes have it' for every ordinance. The meeting transcript does not record individual roll‑call votes or numeric tallies.
Why it matters: The ordinances collectively expand municipal taxation and licensing authority for 2026 to provide revenue for public works and lawful corporate purposes identified by the city. The alcoholic beverage ordinance specifies a levy of $1.50 per standard barrel (30 gallons) on malt beverages or a proportional rate for fractional amounts, and prescribes collection and penalties consistent with state statutes cited in the attorney’s reading.
What’s next: The ordinances took effect as adopted by the council; the attorney indicated ordinances repeal conflicting prior provisions where applicable. No immediate referendum or ballot measure was taken at this meeting.
Votes at a glance: The record shows voice votes in favor for each ordinance; individual member tallies were not recorded in the transcript and are therefore not specified.
