Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 13, 2016 3A
NEWS IN BRIEF FC budget focuses on infrastructure
Council will not fill empty seat
By Jolene Guzman
FALLS CITY — The city of
Falls City began the 2016-17
fiscal year with a “status
quo” budget, with a focus
on applying for grants to
complete necessary infra-
structure improvements.
The city’s total budget is
$1,919,455, with $516,480 in
the general fund, which
covers costs in administra-
tion, Wagner Community
Library, the municipal
court, the fire department,
parks and cemeteries, and
debt service.
“The budget submitted
Unemployment benefits increase
POLK COUNTY — The amount paid to people filing for unem-
ployment insurance benefits has increased, according to a press
release from the Oregon Employment Department.
The maximum weekly benefit amount someone can receive will
increase from $567 to $590, while the minimum amount will in-
crease from $133 to $138.
The change affects new unemployment insurance claims filed on
or after July 3. Those with existing unemployment claims will con-
tinue to receive the same weekly amount they have been receiving.
Under Oregon law, each year the Oregon Employment Depart-
ment recalculates the maximum and minimum amounts of unem-
ployment insurance benefits people can receive each week. The
amounts are set as percentages of the average weekly wage
earned by Oregonians. The minimum benefit amount is 15 per-
cent of average weekly wage, and the maximum amount is 64 per-
cent. Higher wage growth in 2015 resulted in a 3.8 percent in-
crease to the minimum weekly benefit and a 4.1 percent increase
in the maximum weekly benefit compared to a year ago.
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — The city of In-
dependence’s community liaison in-
tern program has been so successful,
City Manager David Clyne said they
are looking for a full-time, permanent
position.
“We want to get somebody in that
can have good experience, good edu-
cation, and hopefully they will have a
good understanding of our communi-
ty,” Clyne said.
The position will pay around
Monmouth 2016
Music in the Park
Main St. Park Amphitheater
Every Wednesday through August 31 ~ 6:30pm
MUSIC, FOOD, BEER & WINE GARDEN
Look for
Music in the Park
Series on Face-
book for more in-
formation about
this year’s artists.
Performing Tonight
July 13
Brothers
& Sister
(Allman Brothers Tribute)
FREE AND OPEN
TO THE PUBLIC
Bring
your chairs
and blankets and
we’ll see you in
the park!
our revenue base. Right
now, the city’s revenues are
flat and our expenses con-
tinue to increase. We will
need to develop plans to re-
duce spending and raise
revenues.”
Ungricht said the budget
$40,000 annually, with benefits.
Up until now, the city has had three
interns do the job. Each one has
brought something different to the
table, Clyne said.
When the city council added out-
reach to the Latino community to its
list of council goals, Clyne knew it
would mean more manpower, some-
thing the city didn’t have.
“The internship was my way of say-
ing, ‘This is how we can do it,’” he said.
University students have brought
creativity to the job, Clyne said.
Through the internships, the city has
Dallas Lions Club’s 8th Annual
Dallas earns recognition for finances
MONMOUTH — Monmouth and Independence police depart-
ments responded to reports of a missing person on Friday.
Around 11 a.m., Independence Police received a call about a
missing person believed to last be seen near Gentle Woods Park in
Monmouth. Independence Sgt. Tino Banuelos said they requested
the assistance of Monmouth Police Department. Officers located
the missing person at the park at 12:30 p.m. in good condition.
The Itemizer-Observer received reports from citizens that police
were in the park with rifles drawn. Banuelos said that wasn’t the case.
“There were no weapons drawn. It was pretty low key,” Banue-
los said. “Officers determined what the person’s health was and re-
ported back to the family.”
this year is pretty much the
same as last year’s,” wrote
Mayor Terry Ungricht in his
budget message. “The chal-
lenge before us is to chart
the course that helps us
meet our citizen’s service
expectations and to grow
By Emily Mentzer
INDEPENDENCE — The city of Independence will host a meet-
ing to explain water and sewer rates at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the
civic center, 155 S. Main St.
The original rate consultant for the city will come out of retire-
ment for this encore presentation, City Manager David Clyne said.
“He (the rate consultant) will be current with what concerns
have been raised with us of late,” Clyne said.
The meeting will be video recorded by the city and will be avail-
able online for anyone who cannot attend, Clyne said.
For more information: ci.independence.or.us.
Monmouth, Indy PDs find missing person
General fund: $516,480
Water fund: $543,031
Sewer fund: $233,249
Streets and pathways: $169,139
Community Development revolving loan fund:
$93,433.
Wagner Reserve funds: $89,228
City utility reserve fund: $274,895
Total: $1,919,455
Indy makes liaison permanent
Independence to host water meeting
DALLAS — The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Fi-
nancial Reporting has been awarded to the city of Dallas by the
Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive
annual financial report for fiscal year 2014-15. This certificate is the
highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and fi-
nancial reporting.
Dallas’ report was judged by an impartial panel which deter-
mined that it met the high standards of the program, including
demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly
communicate the city’s financial story.
View the report online at http://www.dallasor.gov/80/Financial-
Reporting.
Falls City’s 2016-17 budget:
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — Monmouth City Councilor Marshall Guthrie re-
signed his council seat, effective June 30.
The city council decided at its July 5 council meeting not to fill
the vacancy prior to the November election, when three coun-
cilors will be elected, as well as the mayor.
A council candidate forum will be held at 5:30 p.m. on July 27 at
Volunteer Hall, 180 Warren St. S., for all interested in running for a
local office.
For more information: Local Election Official Phyllis Bolman,
503-751-0145.
includes grants for water
and wastewater projects
and for the fire department.
It also includes funding for
a part-time city manager,
although Ungricht is now
volunteering to fill the posi-
tion. He said that’s only a
temporary solution.
“I have notified council
that the city manager needs
to be a full-time position,” he
said. “There is too much
work for a part-time posi-
tion, but due to finances and
my volunteering for the posi-
tion, we budgeted (at) part-
time this year. … We need to
look at funding this position
full-time in the future.”
developed the Festival Informativo.
The Latino round table discussions,
helped facilitate a play based on the
Independence Latino community,
and made soccer more of a priority.
“Soccer is a path to inclusion,”
Clyne said. “Initially, the Independ-
ence Sports Park was programmed for
mostly baseball and softball fields.
When we were doing the parks plan-
ning process and engaging the com-
munity, what’s the sport for Latinos?
Of course, soccer.”
City officials will begin reviewing
applications on July 20.
Music from the Redgate Winery & Fieldhouse
Fri. July 15, 6-9 PM
Start at Levens St. Bridge - Finish at Main St. Bridge
Saturday
July 30 • 5 pm
Tickets
2
$
PER
DUCK
9 prizes valued at $100+
#8
Tickets sold at Courtyard Coffee,
Postal Connections and from any
Lions Club member. Also sold in
Wal-Mart on Saturdays in July.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sponsors include:
Home Comfort Inc.
Rickreall Bargain Center
Dallas Auto Center
Center Market #2
Dallas Glass
Dallas Animal Clinic
featuring
The Reckless
Rockhounds
$5.00 cover
Must be 21 • Food Available
Tasting fees & glasses of wine $5.00
8175 Buena Vista Road
Independence • 503-428-7115 • www.redgatevineyard.com
Matinees are all shows
before 6pm. New pricing for
matinees are: Adult $7.25
Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00
Pricing does not reflect
3D showings.
All proceeds for service projects.
Friday - Wednesday July 15 - July 20
LEGEND OF TARZAN (Digital) (PG13)
(11:40 2:15 4:50)
THE BFG (Digital) (PG)
(11:25 2:00 4:40)
SECRET LIFE
(12:00 12:25 2:15 2:40 4:30 4:55)
OF PETS (Digital) (PG)
GHOSTBUSTERS (Digital) (PG13)
GHOSTBUSTERS (Digital) (PG13)
(11:35 2:05 4:40)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 2:00 4:30)
MIKE AND DAVE NEED
WEDDING DATES (Digital) (R)
(12:15 2:40 5:05)
THE INFILTRATOR (Digital) (R)
(1:25 4:15)
7:25 9:55
7:20 10:05
7:10
6:40
7:15
7:00
9:25
9:15
9:50
9:30
7:30
7:05
9:45
9:55
Thursday July 21
LEGEND OF TARZAN (Digital) (PG13)
(11:40 2:15 4:50)
THE BFG (Digital) (PG)
(11:25 2:00 4:40)
SECRET LIFE
(12:00 12:25 2:15 2:40 4:55)
OF PETS (Digital) (PG)
GHOSTBUSTERS (Digital) (PG13)
GHOSTBUSTERS (Digital) (PG13)
(11:35 2:05 4:40)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 2:00 4:30)
MIKE AND DAVE NEED
WEDDING DATES (Digital) (R)
(12:15 2:40 5:05)
THE INFILTRATOR (Digital) (R)
(1:25 4:15)
ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE (Digital) (PG)
(5:00)
STAR TREK BEYOND (Digital) (PG13)
7:20 10:05
7:10
7:15
7:00
7:30
7:05
7:05
7:00
9:25
9:15
9:50
9:30
9:45
9:55
9:40
For More Information Contact:
Mark Fancey 503-751-0147
presented by
Monmouth
Performing July 15 Show begins at 7:30
TY CURTIS
Pencil
us
in!
www.polkio.com
Lawn Seating — Bring blankets & chairs
This Week’s FREE MOVIE:
Showing July 14 • 9:45
JUMANJI
JULY 22 Concert: Heart by Heart - 7:30 PM
JULY 21 Movie: Inside Out - 9:45 PM
• VENDORS • BEER & WINE GARDEN
Riverview Amphitheater, Independence, OR
Visit our website: independenceamphitheater.com