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Lafayette adopts $21.8 million FY 2026–27 budget; approves multiple fee and rate changes
Summary
The Lafayette City Council on June 11 adopted a $21,829,712 budget for FY 2026–27, approved adjustments to system development charges, updated building permit fees, and amended water and sewer rates; several councilors declared conflicts on permit- and SDC-related votes.
The Lafayette City Council adopted the city’s Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget of $21,829,712 and approved a set of related fee and rate adjustments at its June 11 meeting.
The council approved Resolution 2026-11 adopting the budget, set the permanent rate tax levy at $3.4857 per $1,000 of assessed value and set a $215,000 general obligation bond levy. Councilor Lee Gilgan moved to adopt the budget and Councilor Joseph Carswell seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
The council also approved several companion measures intended to update fees and system charges before the new fiscal year. Councilor Joseph Carswell moved to approve Resolution 2026-06, adjusting System Development Charges (SDCs) for water, transportation, parks and sewer, with an effective date of July 1, 2026; Councilor Russell Burrows seconded. That motion passed 4–0 with two abstentions (Carswell, Jessica Kitt-Hill, Burrows and Craig Maki voted aye; Lee Gilgan and Council President Kayla Paulsen abstained after declaring conflicts).
Councilor Carswell moved and Councilor Burrows seconded approval of Resolution 2026-07, updating Building Department permit, plan review and inspection fees effective July 1, 2026. The council voted 4–0 with the same two abstentions. City staff flagged the conflicts at the outset of the permit-fee hearing.
On utilities, Councilor Carswell moved to approve Resolution 2026-09 amending the Water and Sewer Utility Rates for FY 2026–27; Council President Paulsen seconded. City Administrator Branden Dross stated the new surcharge has no defined sunset but will be reviewed annually while loan requirements are clarified. The rate change passed unanimously.
Council President Paulsen moved and Councilor Carswell seconded Resolution 2026-10 to reauthorize specialty reserve funds—the City Hall Building Fund, Fire Capital Equipment Fund and Vehicle Replacement Fund—in accordance with ORS 294.346; that motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the adopted budget and these fee and rate adjustments set Lafayette’s revenue and service-charge structure for the coming year and include a utility surcharge that the city says will be monitored annually while financing details are resolved.
What’s next: the fee and rate changes take effect July 1, 2026 where noted; staff indicated ongoing monitoring and future reviews as loan or grant conditions become known.
