2025 - Budget Committee Meeting #1

The City of Tigard held its 2025 Budget Committee Meeting on April 26, 2025, focusing extensively on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and the five-year capital improvement plan (CIP). Key procurement-related discussions included the allocation of funds for new and ongoing capital projects such as the police and public works facility modernization, library roof and HVAC replacements, and various park and transportation infrastructure improvements. The committee reviewed budget priorities emphasizing fiscal health, transparency, and service level alignment, with a proposed 3% reduction in the general fund budget. Several new positions were proposed, including a housing planner funded by construction excise tax revenues, a grants administrator to centralize grant management, and utility workers supported by water rates. The committee also discussed funding sources such as property taxes, franchise fees, system development charges, and grants, noting constraints like Oregon's constitutional limits on millage rates and anticipated declines in some intergovernmental revenues. The CIP presentation detailed funding sources totaling over $450 million, with significant contributions from utility funds, system development charges, and urban renewal districts. The meeting included discussions on contingency planning for inflation and tariffs, the importance of maintaining reserves, and the strategic use of bond measures to finance large capital projects. Public comments addressed community services such as the senior center, and the committee engaged in detailed Q&A on budget assumptions, grant funding, and project prioritization. Overall, the meeting provided a comprehensive overview of Tigard's fiscal strategy, capital investments, and staffing plans for the upcoming budget cycle.