Salem City Council adopts budget amendment, approves park reimbursement and multiple contracts

Salem — The Salem City Council on June 17 unanimously approved a set of fiscal and contracting items that fund capital projects and finalize routine city business, including adoption of an amended FY2025/2026 budget and approval of a reimbursement agreement for the Chutes & Ladders Park.

Finance/Recorder Jeff Nielson presented the budget amendment during the work session and again at the regular meeting. The amendment reallocates capital funding and assigns $2,085,500 for the Chutes & Ladders Park project, reassigns $81,648 from the Motor Pool Building (split $40,000 to a dog park and $41,648 to park capital improvements), and adds $500,000 for restrooms at Loafer Soccer Park, $80,000 for a boat ramp restroom, and $5,000 for equipment (a lawn mower). Council voted 5–0 to accept the amended budget.

Council then approved a reimbursement agreement with Flagship Homes to fund the Salem Fields Development park improvements (Chutes & Ladders Park). Under the agreement, Flagship Homes will be reimbursed up to $467,141 through pledged impact-fee payments and the city will provide $863,765 to complete the project. City Manager Matt Marziale said the city will use impact fees not already pledged or, if necessary at payment time, Capital Improvements Savings to cover the obligation; construction is expected to take a little more than a year and park surfacing will be pour‑in‑place rubber with an estimated 40‑year manufacturer life expectancy.

The council also adopted the state’s certified property tax rate for 2026 (0.001129) on a unanimous vote after Finance Director Nielson presented the certified rate. Other approvals included awarding the Woodland Hills Drive electrical conduit contract to GT Underground for $281,180.40, awarding fire station floor epoxy installation to Great Western Enterprise for $50,670.50, approving a resolution that amends governance documents for multiple Public Infrastructure Districts (the city will no longer appoint PID board members), and approving the annual Fraud Risk Assessment (Salem scored 335 points, categorized as Low risk).

Council approved bills for payment totaling $1,870,655.71 and tabled the June 3 meeting minutes for continued work. Directors provided routine updates (fiber speed upgrades, police incident totals, recreation programming); Mayor Cristy Simons announced America‑250 outreach and fireworks restrictions to be finalized soon.

Next steps: Staff will move forward with implementing capital contracts and return with final park designs and reimbursement paperwork; the city will begin project procurement and scheduling for construction.