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News Release

City Invites Community Members To Follow And Participate In Budget Process - 02/10/26

  • Budgeting affects the services residents rely on
  • Community members are invited to get involved

 

Salem, Ore. – Providing essential services while finding ways to prevent future budget shortfalls is at the forefront of Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) City of Salem budgeting process. Work is underway now as City departments develop budgets for the city manager’s review and approval.

 

Community involvement is the foundation of the budgeting process. The City offers many ways to engage with the budget and provide input to decision makers.

Why This Matters

The City’s financial condition directly affects the services that residents rely on and the City’s ability to maintain them. Understanding and addressing financial issues is critical to ensuring that Salem remains a vibrant and well-supported community.

 

City staff is focusing on new approaches, innovations, and strategies to control rising costs, as well as continuing adjustments to reduce projected deficits in coming years.

How to Get Involved

Residents can get involved in the Budget Committee process in several ways:

  • Reading the proposed FY 2027 budget (including the City Manager’s message and result areas) when it is published on the City of Salem website in early April
  • Watching Budget Committee meetings on CCTV cable, Channel 21
  • Streaming on the City of Salem YouTube Channel
  • Attending meetings in person at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty Street SE, Loucks Auditorium
  • Signing up to testify at a meeting either in-person or online
  • Applying to serve as a Salem Budget Committee member

 

Watch announcements of these opportunities on the City website.

Budget Committee and Process

Salem’s Budget Committee includes nine city councilors and nine appointed community members. The committee reviews the city manager’s proposed budget and then recommends a budget for Salem City Council adoption in June.

 

This year’s process began with a Budget Committee meeting on January 14 where the committee heard about the updated Five-Year Financial Forecast. Starting in April, the Budget Committee will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Loucks Auditorium to consider the city manager’s proposal and any changes they want to make before sending their recommendation to the city council.

Meeting dates are:

  • April 15, 2026
  • April 22, 2026
  • April 29, 2026
  • May 6, 2026
  • May 13, 2026 (alternate date)

Levy Investment Supports Services

Levy funding has helped restore services that residents identified as priorities. The levy allowed the City to restore and adjust Salem Public Library hours at the Main and West Salem branches based on information gathered from our community through a public survey. The levy also helped maintain recreation and Center 50+ activities, as well as ongoing operations in Salem’s 90-plus parks.

 

On May 20, 2025, Salem voters approved a five-year local option levy to fund key community services. This property tax increase is expected to generate a projected total of $76,372,000 over five years. The measure costs property owners $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed property value (not market value). The owner of a typical home assessed at $224,000 would pay about $18.33 per month or about $220 per year, from Fiscal year 2026-2030.

 

The City encourages community members to stay engaged as the budget process continues and additional budget resources are shared in the coming months.

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City Invites Community Members To Follow And Participate In Budget Process - 02/10/26

  • Budgeting affects the services residents rely on
  • Community members are invited to get involved

 

Salem, Ore. – Providing essential services while finding ways to prevent future budget shortfalls is at the forefront of Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) City of Salem budgeting process. Work is underway now as City departments develop budgets for the city manager’s review and approval.

 

Community involvement is the foundation of the budgeting process. The City offers many ways to engage with the budget and provide input to decision makers.

Why This Matters

The City’s financial condition directly affects the services that residents rely on and the City’s ability to maintain them. Understanding and addressing financial issues is critical to ensuring that Salem remains a vibrant and well-supported community.

 

City staff is focusing on new approaches, innovations, and strategies to control rising costs, as well as continuing adjustments to reduce projected deficits in coming years.

How to Get Involved

Residents can get involved in the Budget Committee process in several ways:

  • Reading the proposed FY 2027 budget (including the City Manager’s message and result areas) when it is published on the City of Salem website in early April
  • Watching Budget Committee meetings on CCTV cable, Channel 21
  • Streaming on the City of Salem YouTube Channel
  • Attending meetings in person at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty Street SE, Loucks Auditorium
  • Signing up to testify at a meeting either in-person or online
  • Applying to serve as a Salem Budget Committee member

 

Watch announcements of these opportunities on the City website.

Budget Committee and Process

Salem’s Budget Committee includes nine city councilors and nine appointed community members. The committee reviews the city manager’s proposed budget and then recommends a budget for Salem City Council adoption in June.

 

This year’s process began with a Budget Committee meeting on January 14 where the committee heard about the updated Five-Year Financial Forecast. Starting in April, the Budget Committee will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Loucks Auditorium to consider the city manager’s proposal and any changes they want to make before sending their recommendation to the city council.

Meeting dates are:

  • April 15, 2026
  • April 22, 2026
  • April 29, 2026
  • May 6, 2026
  • May 13, 2026 (alternate date)

Levy Investment Supports Services

Levy funding has helped restore services that residents identified as priorities. The levy allowed the City to restore and adjust Salem Public Library hours at the Main and West Salem branches based on information gathered from our community through a public survey. The levy also helped maintain recreation and Center 50+ activities, as well as ongoing operations in Salem’s 90-plus parks.

 

On May 20, 2025, Salem voters approved a five-year local option levy to fund key community services. This property tax increase is expected to generate a projected total of $76,372,000 over five years. The measure costs property owners $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed property value (not market value). The owner of a typical home assessed at $224,000 would pay about $18.33 per month or about $220 per year, from Fiscal year 2026-2030.

 

The City encourages community members to stay engaged as the budget process continues and additional budget resources are shared in the coming months.

# # #