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St. Helens council directs balanced general-fund reductions, cuts stipends and consolidates meetings
Summary
The St. Helens City Council on April 1 directed staff to implement a balanced approach to general-fund reductions — including roughly 10% targeted furloughs/layoffs and cuts to nonessential spending — adopted a 10% reduction in council stipends and voted to meet monthly starting in May.
St. Helens City Council on April 1 voted to direct staff to implement a balanced approach to general-fund reductions that the motion described as including roughly 10% targeted furloughs or layoffs, reductions in nonessential spending and continued efforts to balance the budget.
The motion, introduced during the council's work-session items, passed with roll-call affirmation from Counselor Sandine, Council President Chilton, Counselor Hubbard, Counselor Anderson and the presiding officer.
Council members declared conflicts of interest before discussing a separate motion to reduce council compensation. Under the change to Oregon law referenced by general counsel (SB 983, Oregon Laws 2025, amending ORS 244.120), local officials may participate in votes on budgets that include compensation for themselves after announcing an actual conflict. After those disclosures, the council voted to cut council stipends by 10% beginning April 21, 2026; one councilor recorded an abstention during the roll call.
Also at the meeting, the council voted to change its regular schedule from twice monthly to once per month on the third Wednesday beginning in May and directed staff to draft a resolution to amend the council operating rules.
Mayor and council remarks framed the votes as part of required actions to confront ongoing budget shortfalls and to prioritize core services. The mayor and several council members thanked staff and department directors who attended the meeting and emphasized that the decisions followed discussion and statutory disclosure requirements.
What’s next: staff will implement the directed reductions, bring back any required personnel or program-specific proposals consistent with collective-bargaining agreements, and prepare a resolution to formalize the monthly meeting schedule.
