Council apologizes to downtown businesses after budget confusion
September 11, 2026 | St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon
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Council leadership recognized that local businesses had acted on expectations for Halloweentown and that the late notification of reduced appropriations caused disruption.
"There's a lot of businesses down here that have been planning for this event. They've kept staff on throughout the year. They have bought. They have done a lot of things to prepare for Halloween town as well," the council president said, and asked business owners to contact staff with questions or concerns.
Council described the businesses as "sincerely valued" and said the council wants to see downtown businesses succeed; the council also asked staff to work with the events contractor to find lower-cost alternatives where possible.
"There's a lot of businesses down here that have been planning for this event. They've kept staff on throughout the year. They have bought. They have done a lot of things to prepare for Halloween town as well," the council president said, and asked business owners to contact staff with questions or concerns.
Council described the businesses as "sincerely valued" and said the council wants to see downtown businesses succeed; the council also asked staff to work with the events contractor to find lower-cost alternatives where possible.
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