2026 - Budget Committee Meeting #2

The City of Tigard Budget Committee convened on May 12, 2026, for their second budget meeting to discuss the fiscal year 2026-27 proposed budget. Key procurement-related discussions included proposed budget cuts across multiple departments, notably a significant proposed 20% reduction in the library budget amounting to approximately $1.95 million. The committee debated alternative funding proposals to mitigate library cuts by reallocating reductions among Community Development, Public Works, and Police departments. The Community Development Department presented its $11.8 million budget, highlighting funding sources and the impact of development trends on workload and revenue. The Public Works Engineering division discussed capital improvement projects and private development permitting, noting plans to shift staff between divisions if development activity slows. The Information Technology Department presented a $4.5 million budget focused on consolidating contracts, modernizing network infrastructure, and cybersecurity enhancements, including cost-saving measures such as transitioning to Microsoft Teams phones. The committee also reviewed staffing reductions across departments, totaling approximately 13.4 full-time equivalents, and discussed the implications of these cuts on service delivery. Several motions and proposals were made to adjust budget allocations, with staff tasked to analyze the feasibility of these proposals for future meetings. Public testimony was received, primarily concerning library funding and police staffing levels. The meeting concluded with a summary of outstanding issues and a plan to continue discussions at the next scheduled meeting.