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News Release

Salem Presents FY27 Proposed Budget: Advancing Financial Stability And Community Priorities - 04/10/26

Salem, Ore. – On April 15, 2026, the City of Salem Budget Committee begins its review of the City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget. The proposed budget reflects Salem's commitment to innovation and collaboration as it navigates ongoing financial challenges and emerging opportunities.  
 
In releasing her proposed Budget, City Manager Krishna Namburi reflected on the FY27 Budget as "meaningful progress in stabilizing our financial position and addressing structural challenges. It is a testament to what can be achieved when the community, City Council and staff come together to ensure Salem remains a safe, vibrant and livable city."
 

Key Highlights of the FY27 Proposed Budget

  • Long-Term Fiscal Health: In all, the City’s FY27 Proposed Budget represents $816.1 million supporting over 550 specific programs, and is set to begin on July 1, 2026. The budget represents a single fiscal year, developed within the context of the City’s multi-year financial forecast, ensuring our decisions support Salem’s long-term fiscal health. The proposed budget achieves balance through FY 2028 and remains within the City Council’s General Fund balance policy.
  • Community Priorities: The voter-approved 2025 Livability Levy continues to play a critical role in restoring and maintaining library services, protecting parks and recreation and supporting senior programs at Center 50+.
  • Public Safety Focus: The budget prioritizes emergency services, including Police, Fire and 9-1-1 operations, with an operating budget of $225.8 million, representing 27.7 percent of the total budget.
 

Strategic Initiatives for FY 2027

  1. Pilot Programs: The City is expanding its use of pilot programs to test and refine services on a small scale before expanding. For FY2027, the City proposes extending the Safe, Clean and Healthy Salem pilot; implementing a new approach to reduce substance use and enhance community health through Prevent, Treat and Enforce initiative; and piloting downtown community policing funded by paid on-street parking.
  2. Efficiency, Improving Operations and Cost Savings: Building on prior efforts, the City made targeted adjustments and cost containment measures to meet the City Council fund balance policy through FY 2028 by:
    1. Reducing department budgets by a total of $150,000 annually;
    2. Altering positions in the Fire Department to support training capacity and reduce overtime; and 
    3. Adjusting non-represented employee share of health insurance premiums from 5 to 10 percent.
  3. Focus on Communications and Community Engagement: To advance City Council priorities and respond to performance audit findings, the City is making thoughtful adjustments to staffing and organizational structure to strengthen communications, Council support and community engagement.
 

How to Get Involved

The City of Salem invites residents to review the FY27 Proposed Budget and participate in upcoming Budget Committee meetings. The Budget Committee’s work begins April 15, 2026, and continues through May 6, 2026, to form its recommendation to City Council on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget.  
 
The Committee considers testimony — both in-person and in writing — and holds public hearings on Capital Improvement Fund and projects and State Shared revenues. At each meeting, the City provides responses to questions. All the Budget Committee’s materials, and the Proposed FY27 Budget, are available on the City’s website. 
 
Topics the Budget Committee will consider at each meeting include:
 

April 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • City Manager presents Proposed FY 2027 Budget
  • Welcoming and Livable Community, Natural Environmental Stewardship result areas

April 22, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • Capital Improvement Program public hearing
  • Strong and Diverse Economy and Urban Renewal Agency, Safe Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure result areas

April 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • State Revenue Public Hearing 
  • Safe Community, Good Governance result areas

May 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • Recommendation of FY 2027 Budget to City Council and Urban Renewal Agency
 
After the Budget Committee completes their work, Salem’s City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the FY27 Budget on June 8, 2026. The City’s website hosts a complete schedule and more information on how you can participate.

Salem Presents FY27 Proposed Budget: Advancing Financial Stability And Community Priorities - 04/10/26

Salem, Ore. – On April 15, 2026, the City of Salem Budget Committee begins its review of the City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget. The proposed budget reflects Salem's commitment to innovation and collaboration as it navigates ongoing financial challenges and emerging opportunities.  
 
In releasing her proposed Budget, City Manager Krishna Namburi reflected on the FY27 Budget as "meaningful progress in stabilizing our financial position and addressing structural challenges. It is a testament to what can be achieved when the community, City Council and staff come together to ensure Salem remains a safe, vibrant and livable city."
 

Key Highlights of the FY27 Proposed Budget

  • Long-Term Fiscal Health: In all, the City’s FY27 Proposed Budget represents $816.1 million supporting over 550 specific programs, and is set to begin on July 1, 2026. The budget represents a single fiscal year, developed within the context of the City’s multi-year financial forecast, ensuring our decisions support Salem’s long-term fiscal health. The proposed budget achieves balance through FY 2028 and remains within the City Council’s General Fund balance policy.
  • Community Priorities: The voter-approved 2025 Livability Levy continues to play a critical role in restoring and maintaining library services, protecting parks and recreation and supporting senior programs at Center 50+.
  • Public Safety Focus: The budget prioritizes emergency services, including Police, Fire and 9-1-1 operations, with an operating budget of $225.8 million, representing 27.7 percent of the total budget.
 

Strategic Initiatives for FY 2027

  1. Pilot Programs: The City is expanding its use of pilot programs to test and refine services on a small scale before expanding. For FY2027, the City proposes extending the Safe, Clean and Healthy Salem pilot; implementing a new approach to reduce substance use and enhance community health through Prevent, Treat and Enforce initiative; and piloting downtown community policing funded by paid on-street parking.
  2. Efficiency, Improving Operations and Cost Savings: Building on prior efforts, the City made targeted adjustments and cost containment measures to meet the City Council fund balance policy through FY 2028 by:
    1. Reducing department budgets by a total of $150,000 annually;
    2. Altering positions in the Fire Department to support training capacity and reduce overtime; and 
    3. Adjusting non-represented employee share of health insurance premiums from 5 to 10 percent.
  3. Focus on Communications and Community Engagement: To advance City Council priorities and respond to performance audit findings, the City is making thoughtful adjustments to staffing and organizational structure to strengthen communications, Council support and community engagement.
 

How to Get Involved

The City of Salem invites residents to review the FY27 Proposed Budget and participate in upcoming Budget Committee meetings. The Budget Committee’s work begins April 15, 2026, and continues through May 6, 2026, to form its recommendation to City Council on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget.  
 
The Committee considers testimony — both in-person and in writing — and holds public hearings on Capital Improvement Fund and projects and State Shared revenues. At each meeting, the City provides responses to questions. All the Budget Committee’s materials, and the Proposed FY27 Budget, are available on the City’s website. 
 
Topics the Budget Committee will consider at each meeting include:
 

April 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • City Manager presents Proposed FY 2027 Budget
  • Welcoming and Livable Community, Natural Environmental Stewardship result areas

April 22, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • Capital Improvement Program public hearing
  • Strong and Diverse Economy and Urban Renewal Agency, Safe Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure result areas

April 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • State Revenue Public Hearing 
  • Safe Community, Good Governance result areas

May 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

  • Recommendation of FY 2027 Budget to City Council and Urban Renewal Agency
 
After the Budget Committee completes their work, Salem’s City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the FY27 Budget on June 8, 2026. The City’s website hosts a complete schedule and more information on how you can participate.