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Philomath council directs staff to include $14 monthly city services fee in 2026–27 budget after split vote
Summary
Council directed staff 3–2 to draft the 2026–27 budget including a $14-per-household monthly city services fee (estimated to raise about $400,000) for public safety and to rebuild the city’s ending fund balance; councilors debated timing and equity and asked staff to model low‑income exemptions.
The Philomath City Council voted 3–2 on March 9 to direct staff to draft the fiscal year 2026–27 budget with a proposed $14-per-household monthly city services fee built into the budget for public review, a step staff said would allow public hearings on the fee during the budget process.
City staff described the fee as intended to stabilize the general fund’s ending balance and to maintain public safety competitiveness. "At $14 a month would bring in about $400,000 a year," city staff member Chris said, noting the…
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