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CAC presses for public Q&A on police and fire funding as council considers timeline for possible ballot measure
Summary
Troutdale's Citizens Advisory Committee debated staging a public town‑hall or work session so residents can ask questions about proposed public‑safety funding (police department formation and a potential fire levy); members emphasized clear Q&A formats and noted September deadlines for ballot measures.
Committee members spent a substantial portion of the June 3 meeting discussing how best to inform residents about proposed changes to public‑safety funding and whether the city should host an open Q&A or a town‑hall. The conversation focused on timing, format, staffing and the need to make technical material understandable to voters.
Several members argued for an open‑forum format in which council or staff present clear financial tradeoffs and then answer timed questions from the public. "We need to make sure it's an open forum," one committee member said, adding that public comment during a regular council meeting does not generally allow for back‑and‑forth answers. Committee members recommended presenting the city's case concisely (for example: "police and fire—this is what it costs, this is why we need to raise revenue, come ask questions") and holding multiple sessions in late September and early October to reach voters before the November ballot.
Paul, speaking from the committee, reminded colleagues that the legal deadline to commit a measure for the November ballot is Sept. 3, creating a narrow window for public outreach and council decisions. Committee members discussed whether the council or city manager should host and present, concerns about staff time for a multi‑hour open house, and the value of recording and streaming sessions so people who cannot attend can review the material.
The discussion surfaced disagreement and confusion in the community about what options were being considered — a municipal police department, continued sheriff contract, a utility fee or a fire‑district levy — and noted competing messaging from stakeholders including the sheriff's office. Members urged clear, repeated outreach and recommended that the CAC forward bullet points to the city manager and mayor asking for an agenda item that functions as a Q&A — not just public comment — so residents can receive direct answers to practical questions about costs, tradeoffs, and timelines.
No formal decision was made; members agreed to coordinate offline with the mayor and city manager to secure a date and format for an open forum or council work session, and suggested two meetings (late September and early October) to ensure voters have time to evaluate the proposals if a ballot measure is filed.
