14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 24, 2015
Polk County News
County budget sees FC appoints mayor as city manager
minor adjustments
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
POLK COUNTY — The
Polk County Board of Com-
missioners was scheduled to
adopt the county’s 2015-16
budget at 9 a.m. Wednesday
(today) with minor changes
to what was approved by the
budget committee in May.
The biggest changes will
be in the general, public
works and behavioral health
funds. Each will receive
minor increases.
In the general fund,
County Administrator Greg
Hansen estimated the
amount the county will re-
ceive in the second install-
ment of the two-year exten-
sion of timber payments
approved by Congress ear-
lier this year.
That money will be
placed in general fund con-
tingency and used to offset
the amount charged to tax-
payers in year two of the
public safety levy (2016-17).
Hansen has adjusted the
amount that will be
charged for year one (2015-
16) of the levy to 30.4 cents
per $1,000 of assessed
value, down from the 45
cents per $1,000 approved
by voters in May.
The decrease is due to
the county receiving the
first payment of the exten-
sion of about $750,000.
The increase in public
works will go to contin-
gency or to the road main-
tenance budget, while be-
havioral health will see a
small boost in its contin-
gency fund.
Polk County’s budget
committee approved the
2015-16 approximately $19
million general fund and
about $56 million total
budget on May 20.
FALLS CITY — The Falls
City City Council has decid-
ed to take a different path to
replace its city manager.
For the time being, Mayor
Terry Ungricht has been
named acting city manager,
and the city will be looking
for someone to work part-
time in the office to assist
him. The council appointed
Ungricht to the post at its
meeting on June 11.
Falls City began looking
for a permanent, but part-
time replacement for inter-
im city manager Jon Hanken
in April after he accepted
another post.
The job description in-
cluded working 20 to 24
hours per week, something
Hanken advised wouldn’t be
enough time to fulfill all the
typical tasks of a city manag-
er, at a wage of $22 to $25
per hour.
Falls City received six ap-
plicants for that job, but
began brainstorming other
options in May, including
contracting the position or
hiring a recent graduate
looking for job or intern ex-
perience to help out at city
hall.
Ungricht noted during
that discussion that the city
was saving about $9,000 per
month while the position is
vacant.
“My recommendation is
that there is so much that
comes in that there is no way
a part-time manager can
handle it all,” Ungricht said.
For the last few months,
Ungricht has been putting in
daily hours at city hall as the
city’s manager “pro tem.”
“It’s looking like I am
going to be doing that for a
while,” Ungricht said.
Ungricht said as far as hir-
ing help is concerned, he
Government
would like to find someone
who has the educational
background to take over
some of the city manager’s
responsibilities eventually.
“Hopefully someone I can
train up for the position,
someone who may not have
job experience, but has de-
grees,” he said.
The city’s newly approved
charter contains a provision
stating: “The manager may
be appointed for a definite
or an indefinite term, and
may be removed at any time
by a majority of the council.
The council must fill the of-
fice by appointment as soon
as practicable after the va-
cancy occurs.”
Ross Williamson, Falls
City’s city attorney, said in
his understanding, the
council has essentially ap-
pointed Ungricht as the city
manager, and therefore has
fulfilled its requirement to
fill the position.
Williamson said he’s seen
other small cities do the
same thing in the past.
“This is a fairly unusual
move, but not unheard of,”
Williamson said. “A lot of
s m a l l c i t i e s a re c a s h -
strapped.”
In other business, the
council:
• Approved an ordinance
that allows the city to set tax
rates on recreational and
medical marijuana by reso-
lution. Ungricht said the
council will consider a reso-
lution setting the rates at
zero at its July meeting.
City of Dallas applies for Fairview planning grant
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
DALLAS — The city of
Dallas is applying for a grant
to develop a master plan for
a 120-acre area in the south-
western region of the city.
Called the Fairview Node,
the area is located east of
Kings Valley Highway and
south of Oakdale Road. The
property was annexed into
the city in 2009 and, according
to city staff, is one of the last
large undeveloped areas in
the urban growth boundary.
Dallas Community Devel-
opment Director Jason Locke
said interest in developing
the area is increasing, more
so than when the city first
applied for the grant in 2010.
“We think it is more time-
ly to make the application
now,” Locke said.
The $135,000 grant would
help pay for a plan that spec-
ifies land uses within the
area, identifies needed trans-
portation improvements, en-
courages bicycle and pedes-
trian-friendly development,
and identifies natural re-
sources and ways to protect
them. The application was
submitted on June 12.
In other business, the
council: Heard that sales
were still in negotiations for
the four industrial proper-
ties owned by the Praegitzer
Trust that went up for auc-
tion on May 20. The largest
property, the 52-acre parcel
off Godsey Road, was report-
edly sold to a Portland food
processing company.
Look what’s coming up!
Polk Co Fair
Summerfest
Publishes Aug. 5th
Publishes
July 22nd
Hop & Heritage
Publishes Sept. 16th
Interested in Advertising call 503-623-2373
Itemizer-Observer 147 SE Court St, Dallas
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Monmouth Area Community Events Calendar
Pick up next week’s Itemizer-Observer to obtain your copy of
the official 4th of July Guide. The publication includes a full
schedule of events for the 4th of July Festival in your area!
July 2
Every Thursday through August Riverview Amphitheater hosts
FREE MOVIES. July movies begin at 9:30 and August movies begin at 8:30.
Bring chairs & blankets! Check out http://www.independenceamphitheatre.com/
for list of movies.
July 3
Every Friday through August Riverview Amphitheater hosts
FREE CONCERTS. Bring your chairs and blankets! Check out
http://www.independenceamphitheatre.com/ for a full line up.
July 5
Polk Flea Market. Polk County’s oldest and largest market with 183
tables selling antiques, collectibles, tools, etc. 9 am to 3 pm, Polk County
Fairgrounds & Event Center 520 S. Pacific Hwy W Rickreall.
Website: www.polkfleamarket.com
July 5
Rogue Farms Summer Concert Series. Every Sunday June-August at 3pm.
Take in the views of Rogue farms, sip on a Rogue ale, cider or soda,
and enjoy the music. All concerts are free and all ages are welcome!
3590 Wigrich Road, Independence
July 6
W.O.U. Speed Camps. Western Oregon University is committed to improving
the athleticism and team skills of our local Student Athletes, by providing a safe,
fun, skill based experience for kids ages 7 to 17 years old. WOU speed camps
help young athletes gain a step up on the competition through expert instruction
in a collegiate environment and interaction with collegiate student athletes.
The current dates for the camp are: • July 6, 8, 10 • July 13, 15, 17 • July 20, 22,
24 • July 27, 29, 31 Western Oregon University, McArthur Field - Football
Stadium. $80 for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week $25 per week (12 sessions)
Visit: WOUWOLVES.COM for Details
July 8
Monmouth Music In The Park – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Joe Shinkle and 99 West
bring classic country western to Music In The Park. Free and open to the public.
Every Wednesday in Main St. park. Monmouth.
142 Highway 99 West
503- 838-1445
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180 S. Warren St.
Monmouth
355 N Pacific Ave.,
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Serving Polk Co. Since 1875
503-623-2373
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www.windermere.com
297½ N. Pacific Hwy
Carpet Hero
July 11 FREE Community Barbeque. 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Faith Lutheran Church
invites YOU for a day of free FOOD and FUN! There's something for everyone.
Please come by and see us! • Coffee and Donuts • Hot Dogs • Raffle Prizes
• Yard Sale • Car Wash • Bible Crafts • Lions Club Health Screening
• Salem Free Clinic • Popcorn • Face Painting • Inflatable Big Slide
• Snow Cones. Faith Lutheran Church 200 Monmouth-Independence Hwy.
Monmouth (on the S curve)
July 15 Monmouth Music In The Park – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hillstomp brings their brand
of distinctive blues to Music In The Park. Free and open to the public. Every
Wednesday in Main St. park. Monmouth.
July 22 Monmouth Music In The Park – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Carried Away Trio brings
smooth rhythm and blues vocals to Music In The Park. Free and open to the public.
Every Wednesday in Main St. park. Monmouth.
July 29 Monmouth Music In The Park – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. World' Finest brings a distinctive
mixture of reggae and ska to Music In The Park. Free and open to the public.
Every Wednesday in Main St. park. Monmouth.
503-838-2951
165 E. Main St.
Monmouth
503-838-1773
410 E. Main St.
Monmouth
503-838-1141
297 N Pacific
Monmouth
Every Tuesday May - October Polk County Bounty Market 10 AM - 3 PM Main St. Park
Every Tuesday 10:15 AM, Toddler Story Time for ages 18 mos. to 3 yrs. Monmouth Public Li-
brary, 168 S. Ecols St.
Every Tuesday 7:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for younger mem-
bers, meets at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Dallas. Al-Anon is an established community re-
source for people affected by another's use of alcohol. The resource can aid the recovery process
for the entire family through hope, comfort and loving interchange among members having a
common problem. For more information call 503-370-7363, leave a message - you will be con-
tacted.
Second and Fourth Tuesdays - 9:15 to 11 a.m. Mothers of Preschoolers (MoPS) meets at Mon-
mouth Christian Church, 959 W. Church St., Monmouth.
Every Wednesday 10:15 AM, Preschool Story Time for ages 3-6 years. Monmouth Library,
168 S. Ecols St.
Every Wednesday Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank, 10am to noon, Monmouth Christian
Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every
Wednesday. 541-404-6517.
Every Wednesday 6:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for younger
members, meets at Trinity Lutheran Church at 320 Fir Villa Rd. in Dallas. Al-Anon is an established
community resource for people affected by another's use of alcohol. The resource can aid the
recovery process for the entire family through hope, comfort and loving interchange among mem-
bers having a common problem. For more information call 503-370-7363, leave a message - you
will be contacted.
Every 2nd Wednesday Monmouth-Independence Chamber lunch forum. 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location changes. Please call Jean Love or visit our Calendar of Events at micc-or.org for more
information. 503-838-4268
Every 3rd Wednesday each month. BINGO at the Farm, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Come play BINGO
in the Chatoe out at Rogue Farms. Join us every third Wednesday of the month through 2014!
So bring your family and friends and get ready to win! Boards, daubers, and prizes provided!
Rogue Farms Chatoe Tasting Room, 3590 Wigrich Road Independence, OR
Every Thursday 7 p.m. 314 Cottonwood Way, Monmouth. Polk and Marion County Women
meet to discuss and research alternative/safer approaches to conventional treatments of hor-
monal imbalance.
Every 2nd Thursday 7:00 PM Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) open meeting. Mon-
mouth Volunteer Hall. Info: 503-838-8804
Every 3rd Thursday After Hour Mixers with Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber members and friends are invited to join us for our FREE monthly after-hours mixers.
Mixers are held the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at member locations.
Registration is requested to help the host site properly prepare. Attendees are encouraged to
bring a small giveaway (less than $10) to promote your business or organization. For location
and or more information, contact Jean Love 503-838-4268 or visit our Calendar of Events at
micc-or.org for more information.
Every Friday TOPS-Weight Loss Group meets at the Monmouth Church of Christ, 127 Heffley
St. N., Monmouth. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information please feel free to contact Marilyn at
503-930-7936.
Every Saturday Riverview Market Now through October 9 AM - 2 Pm Riverview Park 50 C.
St., Independence
Every Saturday The Original Independence Farmers Market 9 am to 2 pm Umpqua Bank
parking lot in historic downtown Independence.
Every 1st Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monmouth Senior Center host breakfast. All you
can eat, Adults $6 Donation, Children 12 & under $3 Donation. For more info: 503 838-5678
First Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m.-Crafter’s Cottage at the Mon-
mouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St. Handmade items, watercolors, needlepoint, towels,
bead jewelry, dolls, blankets, sweaters, jellies, etc....New items always arriving!