City budget passes but four committee members cast votes against it
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
The Independence budget committee concluded its meeting Wednesday by adopting a budget that included only one change from a list of nearly 20 proposed amendments – and the budget approval included four “no” votes.
The adoption left untouched the addition of a $27 monthly safety fee for residents and plans for a new tax levy to save city parks, the library and the Heritage Museum from being closed.
Another $3 is expected to be added to the water bill in a separate city council action, bringing the monthly utility billing to an increase of $30.
The committee had asked city personnel to come up with some new proposals at the last budget meeting for improving the financial outlook, ideas that were submitted by committee members; The staff returned with 18 potential cost-cutting or revenue-producing items for consideration.
After the budget was passed without going completely through them, Sarah Jobe, a budget committee member who is also a city councilor, commented: "I was disappointed with the outcome. With so many options before us, I thought that there would be more time to discuss them.”
“But the meeting came to a close more suddenly than I expected," Jobe said.
Though public testimony wasn’t allowed, eight residents showed up for the budget meeting, filling the extra seats – apparently to show concern over a city staff-generated proposal that combined several concepts submitted by budget committee members.
A key part of that “combo” proposal, as it was loosely titled, would have whittled down the public safety fee from approximately $27 to $20 per month, and reduced operations in the Heritage Museum to generate savings of $148,000.
Though the committee voted to raise tourist wrist-band fees at Independence Days from $5 to $10, the “combo” proposal – passed out by Independence Finance Director Rob Moody – failed to pass.
The action to raise $108,000 by increasing the wrist-band fees for entrance to Independence Days prompted commentary that more could have been done. “Of the dozen or so items, why weren’t more individually discussed?” one man asked. “I didn’t hear any strong consensus about anything, except let’s charge $10 for a wrist band for the Fourth.”
The “combo” proposal appeared to confuse some attendees. The hand-out was hard to understand, “unless you know where the cuts are going to be,” said resident Ken Fetters, who was present at the meeting.
Kevin Cassidy, a board member of the Heritage Museum Society – the non-profit fund-raising arm of the museum – noted that the number of visitors to the museum consistently “keeps
going up,” compared with the museum’s opening months at the new downtown location in April 2022.
There also appeared to be a difference of opinion between two city councilors on how to view the budget. Committee member and Independence City Councilor Kate Schwarzler advocated for approval without more deliberation, urging “trust in the city staff.”
And, if putting off a vote for approval, “I am concerned that we are going to be in a continual loop,” she said.
Schwarzler also had recommended acceptance of the original budget at the previous meeting. “I would rather put it in the hands of city staff to really work on that,” she said of the committee’s call for more measures to be considered.
Committee Member and City Councilor Dawn Roden countered at Wednesday night’s meeting that she saw the role of committee members as helping to shape the process for the benefit of residents, alleging that Schwarzler had “pushed” for passage.
After the vote, a discussion among some residents included an inquiry about Schwarzler’s connection with the city. An excerpt from the city website about the relationship between Independence and Schwarzler’s non-profit, Indy Idea Hub, describes it as a “partnership.”
Roden confirmed Thursday that she has no organizational link to the city.
Following the budget approval, several residents – from the Independence Airpark to the Sunset
Meadows neighborhood – were asked if they would be willing to vote for a tax levy if the library, museum and parks are imperiled by lack of funds.
Most answered yes, but several said they would want to examine the issue closely before casting a ballot in favor of the levy.
The 14-member budget committee was equally divided among city council members, plus the mayor, with the same number of resident members. The four committee members who voted against adopting the budget, which includes the amendment to raise tourist wrist-band prices, were Jesica Porter, Sarah Jobe, Dawn Roden and Kathy Martin-Willis. Last year, three committee members voted in opposition to the city budget – the first time in recent history that dissenting votes were cast. This year's vote, 10-to-4, represents an even larger number of no votes.
The approved budget will go to the city council for final approval. ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
The Independence budget committee concluded its meeting Wednesday by adopting a budget that included only one change from a list of nearly 20 proposed amendments – and the budget approval included four “no” votes.
The adoption left untouched the addition of a $27 monthly safety fee for residents and plans for a new tax levy to save city parks, the library and the Heritage Museum from being closed.
Another $3 is expected to be added to the water bill in a separate city council action, bringing the monthly utility billing to an increase of $30.
The committee had asked city personnel to come up with some new proposals at the last budget meeting for improving the financial outlook, ideas that were submitted by committee members; The staff returned with 18 potential cost-cutting or revenue-producing items for consideration.
After the budget was passed without going completely through them, Sarah Jobe, a budget committee member who is also a city councilor, commented: "I was disappointed with the outcome. With so many options before us, I thought that there would be more time to discuss them.”
“But the meeting came to a close more suddenly than I expected," Jobe said.
Though public testimony wasn’t allowed, eight residents showed up for the budget meeting, filling the extra seats – apparently to show concern over a city staff-generated proposal that combined several concepts submitted by budget committee members.
A key part of that “combo” proposal, as it was loosely titled, would have whittled down the public safety fee from approximately $27 to $20 per month, and reduced operations in the Heritage Museum to generate savings of $148,000.
Though the committee voted to raise tourist wrist-band fees at Independence Days from $5 to $10, the “combo” proposal – passed out by Independence Finance Director Rob Moody – failed to pass.
The action to raise $108,000 by increasing the wrist-band fees for entrance to Independence Days prompted commentary that more could have been done. “Of the dozen or so items, why weren’t more individually discussed?” one man asked. “I didn’t hear any strong consensus about anything, except let’s charge $10 for a wrist band for the Fourth.”
The “combo” proposal appeared to confuse some attendees. The hand-out was hard to understand, “unless you know where the cuts are going to be,” said resident Ken Fetters, who was present at the meeting.
Kevin Cassidy, a board member of the Heritage Museum Society – the non-profit fund-raising arm of the museum – noted that the number of visitors to the museum consistently “keeps
going up,” compared with the museum’s opening months at the new downtown location in April 2022.
There also appeared to be a difference of opinion between two city councilors on how to view the budget. Committee member and Independence City Councilor Kate Schwarzler advocated for approval without more deliberation, urging “trust in the city staff.”
And, if putting off a vote for approval, “I am concerned that we are going to be in a continual loop,” she said.
Schwarzler also had recommended acceptance of the original budget at the previous meeting. “I would rather put it in the hands of city staff to really work on that,” she said of the committee’s call for more measures to be considered.
Committee Member and City Councilor Dawn Roden countered at Wednesday night’s meeting that she saw the role of committee members as helping to shape the process for the benefit of residents, alleging that Schwarzler had “pushed” for passage.
After the vote, a discussion among some residents included an inquiry about Schwarzler’s connection with the city. An excerpt from the city website about the relationship between Independence and Schwarzler’s non-profit, Indy Idea Hub, describes it as a “partnership.”
Roden confirmed Thursday that she has no organizational link to the city.
Following the budget approval, several residents – from the Independence Airpark to the Sunset
Meadows neighborhood – were asked if they would be willing to vote for a tax levy if the library, museum and parks are imperiled by lack of funds.
Most answered yes, but several said they would want to examine the issue closely before casting a ballot in favor of the levy.
The 14-member budget committee was equally divided among city council members, plus the mayor, with the same number of resident members. The four committee members who voted against adopting the budget, which includes the amendment to raise tourist wrist-band prices, were Jesica Porter, Sarah Jobe, Dawn Roden and Kathy Martin-Willis. Last year, three committee members voted in opposition to the city budget – the first time in recent history that dissenting votes were cast. This year's vote, 10-to-4, represents an even larger number of no votes.
The approved budget will go to the city council for final approval. ▪
Central School District expects to tap into reserves to surmount financial challenges
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
The budgetary demands on Central School District mean local education is heading into what could be called a perfect storm – the need to dip into reserve funds, the need to make personnel cuts, the need for a bond to fix aging infrastructure in schools, the need to mitigate the revenue-depleting expense of high absenteeism and lower student enrollment, and the need to win back disillusioned voters.
The lingering effect of a higher-than-expected property tax bill, the result of a hike that was approved by the last budget committee, is a recent “bad taste,” as one resident put it; The closure of Henry Hill Elementary School a decade ago – to acquire room for conversion into district administrative space and other offices – has remained a bitter memory for some.
“The closure of Henry Hill Elementary School compounded by the closure (by the city) of the swimming pool were, in my opinion, both unnecessary actions and both impacted on our most vulnerable community," explained former Independence City Manager David Clyne, when queried earlier this year regarding his concern about Independence, which he had expressed
in a letter to the city. The local population is nearly 40% Hispanic-Latino, according to the latest U.S. Census. Many of those children, as well as others, now have to take the bus to school, “instead of having their prior community school,” he said, adding that also “now they have also lost their unique summer recreational asset.” (Clyne is the husband of school board member Peggy Clyne.)
Inquiries to parents over the last several weeks show Clyne may be correct in his assessment of the residual impact of this move, which was undertaken by the former superintendent, Buzz Brazeau. If so, the current administration, headed by Superintendent Jennifer Kubista, will have an even steeper uphill climb trying to get a bond passed to address leaking roofs, a boiler room in need of repair and flooring that a teacher reported looks like “glue on glue.”
Some social media has taken Kubista to task for staff cuts expected to be made – a dozen classified personnel are anticipated to lose their jobs – but she has said in past meetings that she hopes retirement and attrition will take care of the need to trim staff. She has also said the district will be tackling reductions at the administrative level if more reductions are needed.
At the last school board meeting, it was reported that lower kindergarten enrollment appears to be occurring – registration is currently underway. At the same time, the absentee rate in the present student group, which ticked upward dramatically after the pandemic, is showing fluctuating data – improvement in some months but not significantly in others, a worrisome record. The state reimbursement to districts is contingent on the number of student school-attendance days. “That is why school attendance can be such a big financial hit,” according to one administrator.
Meanwhile, state funding hasn’t kept pace with legislative demands – CSD’s proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year means dipping into reserve funds. In the proposed budget, “we are using all available contingencies to minimize the impact on students and staff,” said Emily Mentzer, communications coordinator for the school district. However, there is a minimum contingency, defined as cash reserves, that is required by board policy. At least seven percent of total adopted revenues is needed to maintain the mandatory ending fund balance.
“We will not have additional available reserves for the 2025-26 school year,” she pointed out. This means that if the state doesn’t increase funding or otherwise alter how it funds schools, the district will be going into the 2025-26 school year with the minimum required reserves, according to Mentzer.
(Trammart News will be following this issue in the coming weeks.) ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
The budgetary demands on Central School District mean local education is heading into what could be called a perfect storm – the need to dip into reserve funds, the need to make personnel cuts, the need for a bond to fix aging infrastructure in schools, the need to mitigate the revenue-depleting expense of high absenteeism and lower student enrollment, and the need to win back disillusioned voters.
The lingering effect of a higher-than-expected property tax bill, the result of a hike that was approved by the last budget committee, is a recent “bad taste,” as one resident put it; The closure of Henry Hill Elementary School a decade ago – to acquire room for conversion into district administrative space and other offices – has remained a bitter memory for some.
“The closure of Henry Hill Elementary School compounded by the closure (by the city) of the swimming pool were, in my opinion, both unnecessary actions and both impacted on our most vulnerable community," explained former Independence City Manager David Clyne, when queried earlier this year regarding his concern about Independence, which he had expressed
in a letter to the city. The local population is nearly 40% Hispanic-Latino, according to the latest U.S. Census. Many of those children, as well as others, now have to take the bus to school, “instead of having their prior community school,” he said, adding that also “now they have also lost their unique summer recreational asset.” (Clyne is the husband of school board member Peggy Clyne.)
Inquiries to parents over the last several weeks show Clyne may be correct in his assessment of the residual impact of this move, which was undertaken by the former superintendent, Buzz Brazeau. If so, the current administration, headed by Superintendent Jennifer Kubista, will have an even steeper uphill climb trying to get a bond passed to address leaking roofs, a boiler room in need of repair and flooring that a teacher reported looks like “glue on glue.”
Some social media has taken Kubista to task for staff cuts expected to be made – a dozen classified personnel are anticipated to lose their jobs – but she has said in past meetings that she hopes retirement and attrition will take care of the need to trim staff. She has also said the district will be tackling reductions at the administrative level if more reductions are needed.
At the last school board meeting, it was reported that lower kindergarten enrollment appears to be occurring – registration is currently underway. At the same time, the absentee rate in the present student group, which ticked upward dramatically after the pandemic, is showing fluctuating data – improvement in some months but not significantly in others, a worrisome record. The state reimbursement to districts is contingent on the number of student school-attendance days. “That is why school attendance can be such a big financial hit,” according to one administrator.
Meanwhile, state funding hasn’t kept pace with legislative demands – CSD’s proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year means dipping into reserve funds. In the proposed budget, “we are using all available contingencies to minimize the impact on students and staff,” said Emily Mentzer, communications coordinator for the school district. However, there is a minimum contingency, defined as cash reserves, that is required by board policy. At least seven percent of total adopted revenues is needed to maintain the mandatory ending fund balance.
“We will not have additional available reserves for the 2025-26 school year,” she pointed out. This means that if the state doesn’t increase funding or otherwise alter how it funds schools, the district will be going into the 2025-26 school year with the minimum required reserves, according to Mentzer.
(Trammart News will be following this issue in the coming weeks.) ▪
County Commissioners receive report on homeless programs focused on rural areas of the countyBy Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
How is Polk County tackling rural homelessness? One family at a time, according to Ryan Pollard, the county’s homeless prevention community liaison.
In a report to the Polk County Board of Commissioners at their meeting this past Tuesday, Pollard said 84 families or individuals in need of housing – a homeless group that included a total of 87 children – were given new households through the county’s intervention efforts.
“We’re very blessed to know landlords, property owners – they worked with us,” he said.
Forty-six were helped by a rapid re-housing program, which placed them into housing without having to surmount the usual barriers, like proof of income; Twenty were placed with Section 8 vouchers through West Valley Housing Authority. The remaining 18 were found places to live through other housing links.
Placements also included a category called “literal homelessness,” in which individuals were found to be living on the street, out of cars, in tents or at parks.
Also, since July of last year, there were 505 cases of county-initiated “homeless prevention,” Pollard said. This was done by providing needed money for assistance, ranging from funds to pay a deposit for a new apartment to providing enough revenue to meet utility bills.
Over the past year, thousands of dollars have been more readily available to the county, thanks to infusions from the state due to an emergency order from Gov. Tina Kotek to attack homelessness.
However, Board of Commission Chair Craig Pope said there is likely a high need in the West Salem area, which wasn’t part of Pollard’s report.
The programs were focused on rural Polk County, Pollard explained, adding that data on the West Salem area can be provided in a future update.
When homeless individuals are identified in the county and they have arrived from outside of it – without “ties” to Polk County – arrangements are made for transportation back to the point of departure, Pollard noted. For instance, one man who arrived in the county was from Wisconsin, after traveling west with the intention of living near the ocean. He was rerouted, Pollard said.
The commissioners wanted to know how ties to the county are determined. Generally, by confirming connections to family, friends or a previous residency, Pollard explained. ▪
Trammart News Service, May 10, 2024
How is Polk County tackling rural homelessness? One family at a time, according to Ryan Pollard, the county’s homeless prevention community liaison.
In a report to the Polk County Board of Commissioners at their meeting this past Tuesday, Pollard said 84 families or individuals in need of housing – a homeless group that included a total of 87 children – were given new households through the county’s intervention efforts.
“We’re very blessed to know landlords, property owners – they worked with us,” he said.
Forty-six were helped by a rapid re-housing program, which placed them into housing without having to surmount the usual barriers, like proof of income; Twenty were placed with Section 8 vouchers through West Valley Housing Authority. The remaining 18 were found places to live through other housing links.
Placements also included a category called “literal homelessness,” in which individuals were found to be living on the street, out of cars, in tents or at parks.
Also, since July of last year, there were 505 cases of county-initiated “homeless prevention,” Pollard said. This was done by providing needed money for assistance, ranging from funds to pay a deposit for a new apartment to providing enough revenue to meet utility bills.
Over the past year, thousands of dollars have been more readily available to the county, thanks to infusions from the state due to an emergency order from Gov. Tina Kotek to attack homelessness.
However, Board of Commission Chair Craig Pope said there is likely a high need in the West Salem area, which wasn’t part of Pollard’s report.
The programs were focused on rural Polk County, Pollard explained, adding that data on the West Salem area can be provided in a future update.
When homeless individuals are identified in the county and they have arrived from outside of it – without “ties” to Polk County – arrangements are made for transportation back to the point of departure, Pollard noted. For instance, one man who arrived in the county was from Wisconsin, after traveling west with the intention of living near the ocean. He was rerouted, Pollard said.
The commissioners wanted to know how ties to the county are determined. Generally, by confirming connections to family, friends or a previous residency, Pollard explained. ▪
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