Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
APRIL 15, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A9 BUDGET, continued from Page A1 budget seasons. Members of the task force – who will also be members of the Budget Committee next month – indicated adding a new offi cer would be their top priority for next fi scal year, followed by another employee in the parks department. City Manager Chris Eppley cautioned there may not be the money in the budget. “I don't want you to think we have funding to add into the budget this year,” Eppley said. “We have leveled out. We will slowly add positions back to the budget. The budget this year is based on taking a breath, then let new revenue come online next year. If we get those property statements or franchise fees higher than we expect, we could bring on a person for half a year. I hesitate to add positions, even if you want to, unless we can predict sustainability. I'm not in the business of just putting it in for show, I want to make sure we can sustain it.” Earlier in the meeting, Eppley had mentioned tax revenue from new building often doesn't come in until the following year, meaning city offi cials aren't banking on new funds from various housing developments to be available come this July. “It has been limited duration longer than a limited duration position should be limited duration.” — Chris Eppley “This is going to be a fairly dull year,” he said. “There is no fi scal crisis. We don't have to make a drastic decision. We're approaching our growth limit within our Urban Growth Boundary, so we don't have millions extra to spend. There won't be big changes in next year's budget. I want to give you a snapshot, but it will be a boring budget year, I believe.” In the general fund long range forecast initiative update, adding a parks employee and an offi cer are both listed as not being sustainable for the 2016-17 budget. Transitioning the Event Center Coordinator position – Kristian Bouvier – from limited duration to regular, however, is anticipated in next year's budget. Task force member Ron Bersin lobbied for adding a new offi cer, which would raise the KPD to 38 positions. “We've been talking about this for years,” Bersin said. “With the senior centers, there will be a big population increase. At some point we will have to step up and add positions, because it means community safety.” Teague said the average in Oregon for a city Keizer's size would be 52 positions. “We need about 41,” Teague said. “We are holding our own at 37. We're able to police with fewer offi cers. I'm a team player. I'm not demanding more cops. It is what it is. We have a limited budget. I know the city manager would love to give me three or four new cops.” births Luke Alvin King was born March 21, 2016 at Salem Hos- pital. The baby boy weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces. The parents are Nickolas King and Samantha Blome of Keizer. Joelle Taylor Osteen was born March 27, 2016 at Salem Hospital. The baby girl weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces. The parents are Aaron and Akami Osteen of Keizer. Asher Thomas Tribby was born March 30, 2016 at Salem Hospital. The baby boy weighed 9 pounds 2 ounces. The parents are Joshua and Claudia Tribby of Keizer. Jack Edward Day was born March 31, 2016 at Salem Hos- pital. The baby boy weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces. The parents are Jason and Arwen Day of Keizer. Emmett Edward Kinkaid was born April 6, 2016 at Salem Hospital. The baby boy weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces. The parents are David and Cheri Kinkaid of Salem. The maternal grand- parent is Rose Foreman of Sa- lem. The paternal grandparents are Ken and Sherry Kinkaid of Keizer. Tiara Marie Annette Gleason was born April 9, 2016 at Salem Hospital. The baby girl weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces. The parents are Eugene Gleason and Tiffany Gillis of Keizer. The maternal grandparent is Belinda Lundberg. The paternal grand- parent is Mary Gleason. Eppley laughed and responded, “Love is a strong word.” Eppley pointed out a city Keizer's size would typically have 17 or 18 parks employees. “We have two,” he said. “The primary reason is our tax rate of $2.08 (per $1,000 of assessed value). We are a minimal services government. We provide a lot of services for the buck. We do things differently.” Council president Dennis Koho recalled a time in the 1990s when the argument was whether the KPD should have 14 or 15 positions. “The fact we have nearly 40 positions now is great by that comparison,” Koho said. “But it was a different city then.” Councilor Amy Ryan noted she's been doing ride- alongs lately with emergency responders. “Our crime rate is higher than I remember,” Ryan said. “That's putting pressure on our cops to respond. They do an excellent job.” After a conversation shift, Bersin changed it back to police. “So the 37, how long have we had that?” he asked. Teague said it's been at that level for six years, after being at 41 prior to the recession. “Don't interpret my realism as a lack of concern,” Teague said. “Our guys are working mighty hard, but we work with what we're given.” Bersin said the KPD's recent caseload shows the need for more to work with. CHANGES, continued from Page A1 owner Terry Ricker in regards to fi nding a new space. In that story, Ricker expressed reservation about moving into a smaller, less visible space within Schoolhouse Square. In a Facebook post on April 1, however, Ricker noted that was an option. “We have since talked to the new owner of Schoolhouse Square about a location a little smaller than the current store next to the new B Fit gym, if or when the new building is built,” Ricker wrote on April 1. “We love Keizer and hopefully will be serving the and Mr. Video/LimeBerry. “The plan is to build the pad building. We hope to break ground in early July or late June, but more realistically early July,” Bloch said. “We have two signed leases for that new building, which represents about 40 percent of that building.” Earlier this month, the Keizertimes ran a story about the concerns of Mr. Video's “We can’t keep pushing this off...” — Ron Bersin “You've had shootings at Keizer Station,” Bersin said in reference to the Feb. 14 fatal shooting. “And in the heart of town,” Teague responded, referring to last month's shooting at Bi- Mart. “We can't keep pushing this off to the next year,” Bersin said. Nate Brown, director of Community Development, noted code enforcement offi cer Ben Crosby takes on issues such as graffi ti abatement and parking enforcement typically handled by the KPD in the past. “As few as fi ve years ago, you would hear us fi ghting for more cops,” Teague said. “The value added with the code enforcement position does a lot to help with crime. Public safety is more than just adding cops.” Ryan asked if Bouvier's position was going to become full-time. “I asked it to be funded as a regular position,” Eppley said. “It has been limited duration longer than a limited duration position should be limited duration.” As was previously reported in the Keizertimes, the community center revenue has gone up noticeably this year, possibly calming a concern expressed during the last two budget seasons. “The community center this year became a lot closer to being self-sustaining than it has been,” Eppley said. “We've had a big increase in numbers into that center. Kristian does a great job and has a great reputation.” Mayor Cathy Clark noted Bouvier works well in conjunction with staff at the Keizer Heritage Center next door to city hall. “The cross advertising and referrals have led to an increase at both facilities,” Clark said. “The collaboration has been benefi cial.” Eppley said the two groups feed off each other well. “It's still a new business for us,” he said. “The fact we're approaching sustainability is impressive to me.” The fi rst Budget Committee meeting will take place on May 3, followed by meetings on May 5 and 10. If needed, another meeting will be held May 17. Meetings will all start at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Keizer Civic Center. community for years to come with your support.” Bloch confi rmed such discussions have happened with Ricker. “There have been some initial discussions with him,” Bloch said. “My thought is we might locate him where Anytime Fitness was.” Overall, Bloch is liking the direction of the shopping center. “We're making good progress,” he said. “We would love to have everything fi lled. We're happy with the tenants we've signed up and we have a good mix going forward. I believe it will create some good synergy to attract new clients to the buildings.” puzzle answers Sam Goesch CLU, Agent Sam Goesch Ins Agcy Inc 3975 River Road North Keizer, OR 97303 Web: SamGoesch.com Bus: 503-393-6252 1211999 State Farm , Bloomington, IL