Roseburg Budget Committee gives tentative approval to $109.7 million budget; recommends property tax rate

The Roseburg City Budget Committee met in public and moved to recommend City Council adoption of the proposed 2024–25 budget of $109,703,516 and a property tax rate as stated in the meeting.

City staff opened the meeting with a statutory public hearing on potential uses of state revenue sharing funds and projected about $280,000 in state revenue sharing for the coming fiscal year. Nikki, a member of city staff leading the budget message, summarized the general‑fund outlook: “The revenues this year for the general fund are up about 1,850,000 and are coming in or predicted to come in just under $31,000,000,” she said, and noted that property taxes make up roughly 65% of that total.

Ron (city staff) walked the committee through key assumptions and the six‑year projection, saying the estimated ending general fund balance is just under $11,000,000 — about a 33% reserve and above the city’s 20% target. He also described the budget’s personnel assumptions, including a built‑in 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for bargaining units and specific projections for insurance and utility increases.

Department heads summarized major line items and requests. Stu Cowie, community development director, highlighted permitting workload and a planned permit‑software replacement; Chris Wiley, library director, described a request for Ford Room audiovisual upgrades and continued growth in summer reading participation; Don Easley, public works director, reviewed parks, streets and storm projects including a $750,000 grant for outdoor tennis courts; Police Chief Gary Klopfenstein described a modest budget increase and significant staffing vacancies, saying the department is “kind of in survival mode right now” as it focuses on patrol; Fire Chief Tyler Kristofferson said his department is fully staffed and outlined equipment and materials increases.

Committee members discussed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds ($5.2 million received) and timing constraints: according to staff, ARPA dollars must be obligated by the end of the calendar year and spent by the end of 2026. Nikki said she has discretionary authority up to $100,000 on a single item with quarterly reporting to the committee; larger obligations will be brought to council for approval. Staff proposed programming ARPA for one‑time capital or implementation costs including the community development permit‑software installation, IT network upgrades, and sewer work at Firgrove Park.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve and recommend City Council adoption of the 2024–25 budget in the amount of $109,703,516 — moved and seconded; voice vote carried (motion recorded at the meeting).
- Motion to recommend City Council adoption of the property‑tax levy for 2024–25 at the rate stated in the motion — moved and seconded; voice vote carried (motion recorded at the meeting).
- Tentative approvals by voice vote: general fund, special revenue funds, debt service, capital projects, enterprise funds, and internal service funds as presented during the meeting.

What happens next: The committee recommended the budget and the property tax rate to the City Council; staff will present the recommended budget to Council for final adoption. Several ARPA obligations and specific capital projects remain to be identified and will return to council when staff seeks formal contract authority.

Attendance and procedural notes: The meeting opened with a roll call and election of officers (Mike Baker elected chair; David Moore vice chair). The committee took no public testimony during the state revenue sharing hearing.