Mosier council adopts budget adjustments; discusses strategic priorities, railroad impacts, hiring and short‑term rentals

The Mosier City Council on Feb. 19 adopted a budget adjustment resolution and spent a work‑session reviewing priorities, staffing and infrastructure updates.

Finance Director Monica Morris said the budget adjustment reclassifies how resources are shown for the current fiscal year so the City’s spending picture is more accurate. She said the action reduces capital outlay entries and increases service accounts consistent with current plans, explained that some project funds remain committed but will not be spent this year, and reported the City’s cash on hand is slightly over $2 million.

"This isn’t a reflection to say you’re spending more, instead we’re showing a more accurate picture of what you’re spending," Monica said. Councilor Cannon asked that the budget be reviewed monthly with line‑by‑line reports; Monica said Council normally receives monthly financial reports.

Councilor Cannon moved to approve the attached budget resolution and Councilor Lindemyer seconded. The motion passed with the record stating "All in favor." The record did not include a roll call of individual votes.

In a work session that followed, City Manager Andrea Rogers told Council that basic operations such as water, sewer and snow removal are mandatory tasks, while other items on the strategic list are optional and should be prioritized by Council relative to staff capacity. Andrea suggested interns as a cost‑effective way to expand staff capacity; Councilor Cannon proposed hiring a minimum‑wage employee to handle routine phone duties rather than assigning those tasks to the city manager.

Councilor Lindemyer praised recent public‑works improvements at Mosier’s west end and said he has contacts who could assist the city with a comprehensive‑plan update; he referenced a former city planner, Cindy, who may help at no charge.

Mayor Anderson reported on a meeting with Aaron Hunt of Union Pacific Railroad regarding a proposed second track through Mosier. Mayor Anderson said tribes and Wasco County are not contesting the proposal at this point; he said the second track would be located roughly 9,000 feet to the west, totaling about three miles of track, and that the Mosier Creek railroad bridge will require rebuilding. He relayed UPRR’s statement that the second track "won’t be more trains, but the second track rather makes train traffic more efficient." Council members and staff expressed concern about impacts to the waterfront trail and asked for further public engagement with UPRR on trail access.

On personnel, Andrea said the bookkeeper gave notice three weeks earlier, opening a vacancy for a full‑time city recorder at a salary range of $26 to $30 per hour; three candidates have been identified and Andrea and Monica will form a hiring committee to score interviews.

Andrea also described a short‑term rental registration process she is developing, noting that some ordinance language and fee schedules will need amendment; she will consult with Laura to draft ordinance changes.

The council entered executive session at 8:07 p.m. under ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider records exempt from public inspection, adjourned the executive session at 8:23 p.m. with no action taken and then adjourned the public meeting.