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Tigard council adopts FY2027 budget after debate over library social‑services post
Summary
The Tigard City Council approved the fiscal year 2027 budget after public testimony urging restoration of a limited‑duration library social‑services coordinator. Staff said the headline $1.9 million library reduction largely reflects internal cost‑allocation changes; direct library cuts total about $400,000.
Tigard — The Tigard City Council voted to adopt the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget on a majority vote after hours of staff briefings, public testimony and council deliberation.
Finance Director Eric King and Acting City Manager Brian Reagor told the council the adopted budget responds to a roughly $6 million general‑fund shortfall by prioritizing outward‑facing core services, reducing administrative costs and trimming about $1,000,000 from materials and services. King said total proposed resources for FY27 are $471,938,721 with total appropriations of $220,704,294 covering 353.9 full‑time equivalent positions.
The meeting’s most contested issue was the decision not to extend a limited‑duration social‑services coordinator position at the Tigard Public Library. Dozens of residents and volunteers pressed the council during public comment to restore the position, citing petitions and local volunteer counts. "Please vote no on this budget, or amend it, and get them back in," said Gabriel Cruz, a Tigard resident who spoke during the public‑comment period. Jenny Stoffel, vice chair of the Tigard Public Library Board, told council that "more than 1,500 residents signed a petition" asking the city to keep the position.
Staff and council sought to clarify the scope of reductions. Finance Director King said the often‑cited $1.9 million decrease to the library line reflects a $1.5 million change in administrative cost allocations (finance, human resources, IT and city management) rather than direct reductions to library programming or staff. "The actual reduction in the library budgets for clarity is about $400,000," King said. He added that much of the administrative change follows a methodology update to the city's cost‑allocation plan.
Councilors acknowledged strong public engagement and laid out next steps. Council President Wolf said the city should pursue partnerships with nonprofits and regional agencies to address social‑services needs; Wolf described site visits to Community Action and urged collaboration on service delivery. Several council members said they would explore intergovernmental agreements and alternative funding streams — ideas raised by public commenters included using opioid‑settlement funds and cost‑sharing with county health and human services.
After deliberation, Councilor Schlack moved to adopt Resolution No. 26‑22, which approves the FY27 budget, makes appropriations and declares the ad valorem tax levy. The motion carried by majority vote; one or more councilors recorded a nay.
The council also adopted the Town Center Development Agency (TCDA) FY27 budget (TCDA Resolution No. 26‑01), with appropriations of $7,472,616, and heard a caller urge greater use of urban‑renewal tax increment financing to support economic growth.
What happens next: Councilors and staff said they will continue outreach this summer to explore regional funding and nonprofit partnerships for the library role and other social‑service needs, and staff will bring facility‑planning and bond‑related follow‑ups to the council in July.
