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Hood River council approves budget and fee updates, extends animal‑control IGA and emergency declaration, and directs staff on TNC fees
Summary
At the June 22 meeting the council adopted a supplemental budget and updated building permit fees, authorized an interim extension of the county animal‑control IGA while scheduling a presentation from Hood River Adopt a Dog, extended the city's emergency declaration on federal immigration enforcement to 12/31/2026, and asked staff to return with a TNC (Uber) fee option.
Hood River City Council on June 22 adopted several fiscal and administrative measures, extended short‑term intergovernmental arrangements for animal control, and gave staff direction on Transportation Network Company (TNC) fees.
Budget and fees: Council adopted the Q4 supplemental budget (Resolution 2026‑13) to adjust appropriations across multiple funds (general, road, water, sewer, restricted and internal service funds) and corrected labeling errors in the prior version. Council also adopted the building permit fee schedule for FY 2026‑27 (Resolution 2026‑14) with a minor edit to the effective date (changed to 06/30/2026).
Animal control and shelter partnership: Following public testimony from Hood River Adopt a Dog’s Lorraine Lyons and Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s Sunny Simon about shelter capacity and the impending end of the Hikari fund, council authorized the mayor to sign a letter of understanding to extend the current intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Hood River County for animal control services through August 31, 2026, and asked staff to schedule presentations from Hood River Adopt a Dog and county representatives so council can better understand operational capacity and potential city commitments.
Emergency declaration: Citing renewed federal enforcement activity, the council amended and extended its emergency declaration related to federal immigration enforcement to run through December 31, 2026. Council members said they intend to schedule more detailed community engagement and legal briefings about what the city can and cannot do under state and federal law.
Transportation network companies (TNCs): Staff reported that a TNC offered a flat fee proposal (the company proposed paying $800 to the city). Council directed staff to return at the next regular meeting with an amended fee schedule that would allow TNC operation under a flat corporate fee for the remainder of the calendar year while preserving existing taxi cab fee treatment until broader amendments can be made; staff will also recommend parity measures so all providers meet the same background‑check and vehicle‑inspection requirements.
Urban Renewal action: The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency approved a prepaid account payment ($115,648.56) to the Oregon Department of Transportation to fund ODOT review and inspection work on the Mount Adams roundabout — a key piece of infrastructure the agency says will unlock West Side development — and adopted a small appropriation transfer to reflect interest cost adjustments for a West Side loan.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2026‑13 (supplemental budget) — adopted; Resolution 2026‑14 (building permit fees) — adopted (effective date corrected); IGA extension for animal control to Aug. 31, 2026 — authorized; emergency declaration extension to 12/31/2026 — adopted; URA prepaid payment to ODOT ($115,648.56) — authorized.
Next steps: Staff will return with the final zone‑change ordinance for 1225 Wasco Street; staff will prepare a TNC fee amendment for the July meeting; and the city manager will coordinate presentations from Hood River Adopt a Dog and county animal‑control staff.
