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Budget committee recommends 2026–27 budget, endorses permanent property tax rate of $4.1954 per $1,000
Summary
The City of Dallas budget committee voted to recommend the 2026–27 budget as amended, approved adding a $13,500 Travel Oregon tourism grant, and recommended the permanent property tax rate remain at $4.1954 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The City of Dallas Budget Committee on May 20 recommended that the City Council adopt the 2026–27 budget as amended and endorsed keeping the city’s permanent property tax rate at $4.1954 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Committee members approved an amendment to add a $13,500 Travel Oregon (wine country) tourism grant to the grant fund and then voted to recommend the full budget to the council. The Chair opened and closed a brief public hearing before returning the packet to staff for the committee’s questions and discussion.
City Manager Brian Latta summarized key priorities in the proposed budget, saying it “continues operations” while directing new resources to facilities and to infrastructure planning and construction. He told the committee the budget proposes some staff reductions in the general fund but adds three ambulance employees and funds a new ambulance to increase local EMS capacity.
Latta also highlighted reserve and contingency positions across funds, noting the city’s fiscal policy requires a general fund reserve target of at least 10 percent of operating expenses and that water, sewer and stormwater funds maintain healthy contingencies for planned maintenance and emergencies.
On motions, the committee approved a specific amendment to the grant fund to reflect the $13,500 tourism grant. The minutes record that Michael Holtzapel made the motion and Anne Hurd seconded it; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote. The committee then voted to recommend council adoption of the budget as amended and to approve the use of state revenue sharing funds.
Finally, the committee recommended that the council approve a property tax rate of 4.1954 per $1,000 of assessed value, the permanent rate allowable under Oregon law. Chair called for the voice vote and the recommendation passed.
The committee adjourned after running slightly over the scheduled time. The council will consider the recommendations, including the amended grant fund and the recommended tax rate, at its next scheduled meeting.
