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Scappoose council adopts budget, wastewater rate changes and several contracts; community grants awarded
Summary
At its June 15 meeting the Scappoose City Council adopted a $45.16 million budget for fiscal 2026–27, approved wastewater rate realignment and an annual fee schedule, authorized park and pavement contracts, and approved community enhancement grants after brief debate and public comment on transparency.
The Scappoose City Council on June 15 adopted its fiscal 2026–27 budget, approved a wastewater rate realignment, and authorized multiple procurement contracts and awards.
By unanimous voice votes the council adopted Resolution 2609, approving a $45,162,488 budget for the coming year, and approved a suite of related actions including the city’s election to receive state shared revenues (Resolutions 26‑07 and 26‑08). Finance Administrator Carol told the council the only change between proposed and adopted budgets was the addition of a $400,000 grant appropriation; she said the packet also now includes debt‑service schedules and payoff dates.
Council then adopted Resolution 26‑05, a wastewater rate realignment staff said balances affordability and the need to fund operations, regulatory compliance and capital replacement. Staff said the initial consulting recommendation had called for a 7% increase this year; after discussion the plan approved reduces the increase to 5% for 2026–27, consolidates many customer classifications into three groups, and shifts a greater share of costs to commodity charges and commercial classes. Staff said the new rates are effective July 1.
On procurement, council authorized three contract actions: - a design and construction‑oversight contract for Veterans Park Extension Phase One with HHPR (Harper House Peterson Regelis) following a qualifications‑based selection process (staff reported six proposals and a top score of 86.83 for HHPR), - a construction contract award to K&L Industries for the 2026 Southeast Pavement Overlay project (low responsive bid of $318,945), and - a third amendment to the Consort Engineering contract for wastewater treatment plant Phase 1, adding $29,939 for coordination, shop drawing review and field observation and bringing the contract total to $932,893.
Council also approved the 2026 Community Enhancement Program awards (option two), allocating listed amounts totaling the program budget to seven local organizations, after a motion by Council President Miller.
The meeting included public comment on the fee schedule and broader transparency concerns. A resident (Alicia) said materials supporting Resolution 2610 were not available early enough for meaningful written comment and urged clearer notices and earlier packet publication. Staff said the written comment deadline had been intended as a courtesy timing for packet inclusion and that verbal comments remain allowed at the public hearing; staff committed to clarifying future notices and to posting materials earlier when possible.
Councilors asked staff to include contingency percentages and amounts in future procurement motions and discussed whether consolidated change‑order thresholds should trigger council review rather than leave broad unilateral authority with the city manager. Staff agreed to review the suggested wording changes.
The council extended the meeting, moved into an executive session to discuss real property transactions under ORS 192.660(2)(e), and did not announce any final action on those items in open session.
