Beaverton Bureau Board and City Council Joint Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Beaverton Urban Renewal Agency (Bureau) Board and the Beaverton City Council held a joint meeting on June 16, 2026, to adopt the Bureau and City budgets for fiscal year 2026-27, discuss water and sewer rates, adopt a downtown parking plan, and pass a resolution opposing standalone data centers. The meeting included public testimony, debate on structural deficits, and direction for future policy work.

Consent Calendar

• The City Council approved the consent agenda (including contracts and grants) unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fletcher Nash (Beaverton Area Chamber) thanked the city for supporting the 'Concerts in the Round' summer series and invited councilors to attend.
• Angie True (Mayor's Youth Advisory Board co-chair) reported on the board's work over the past year, including youth input on city projects, and requested continued support for youth programs.
• Pam Pham (Unite Oregon executive director) urged the council to preserve the Office of Equity and its staffing, emphasizing the need for direct community engagement with immigrant and refugee communities.
• Blaine Solimani Pearson (Beaverton resident) opposed cuts to the equity officer position and library positions, arguing that equity work must remain independent and not be subsumed by another office.
• Cayman Minor (Black in Beaverton, Beaverton Black People's Union) criticized the elimination of the Chief Equity Officer role, stating it reflects a shift in city values and a lack of engagement with Black communities.
• Evelyn Cocher (lifelong Beavertonian) opposed moving the equity office under another department and noted cuts to equity, library, and police support staff while sworn officer positions increase, calling budgets a moral document.
• Sgt. Sean Hinkley (Beaverton Police Association president) expressed concern over continued reductions in police resources (six officers, nine photo enforcement, three professional staff lost in recent years) and urged the council to prioritize public safety funding.

Discussion Items

• Bureau Budget (FY26-27): Interim Treasurer Susan Cole presented a $74 million budget funded by debt and tax increment. Discussion focused on an 'underlevy' (revenue share) of $1.5 million, returning tax increment to overlapping districts. Mayor Lacey Beatty argued this is a policy decision that should come to the board, not be set by staff, and requested an RFQ for the BC2 development site within six months. Others noted capacity constraints and the need for a broader work session on underlevying policy.
• City Budget (FY26-27): The city faces a structural deficit; the budget relies on $2.5 million in one-time resources. Mayor Beatty called for a concrete plan to reduce ongoing costs. Staff explained the restructuring of the equity office into the community engagement division. Councilors and speakers debated the impact of cuts to equity, libraries, and police. Councilor Hussen introduced amendments to budget guiding principles adding language on diversity/equity/inclusion, climate sustainability, and human rights, which were adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Water and Sewer Rates (Work Session): Due to a new state conflict-of-interest law, the council heard a presentation but did not vote. Water rates would increase 9% (driven by debt service for infrastructure investments), sewer rates 7%, and stormwater rates 5%. Councilors questioned cost containment and the city's role in billing for Clean Water Services without cost recovery.
• Downtown Parking Plan: The council adopted a resolution adopting the plan, which includes nine strategies for managing downtown parking (curb management, branding, enforcement, etc.). Councilors emphasized the need for urgent implementation and community communication.
• Data Center Resolution: Mayor Beatty introduced a walk-on resolution affirming the city's prohibition on utility-scale standalone data centers, citing land use and infrastructure concerns. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Council New Business: Councilor Duggar proposed directing staff to develop policy banning ICE detention facilities within city limits (supported with time-boxed legal research) and requiring grant recipients to attest they do not contract with ICE. The latter received mixed support; further analysis was requested.

Key Outcomes

• Bureau Budget Adoption: Resolution 2026-074 adopting the Bureau FY26-27 budget passed 10-0-1 (one absent).
• Bureau RFQ for BC2: A motion to direct the executive director to issue an RFQ/RFP for the BC2 site within six months passed 10-0-1.
• Bureau Work Session on Underlevying: A motion to hold a work session on underlevying policy passed 10-0-1.
• City Supplemental Budget: Resolution 4955 adopting the supplemental budget for FY25-26 passed 7-0.
• City Budget Adoption: Resolution 4957 adopting the FY26-27 budget, as amended by Councilor Hussen's guiding principles, passed 7-0.
• State Shared Revenue: Resolution 4956 declaring the city's election to receive state shared revenue passed 7-0.
• Downtown Parking Plan: Resolution 4960 adopting the downtown parking plan passed 7-0.
• Data Center Resolution: Resolution 4961 affirming prohibition of standalone data centers passed 7-0.
• Future Budget Direction: Council directed staff to return in early fall with a package of structural reductions ($2.5-5 million) to reduce reliance on one-time funds.
• Water/Sewer Rates: A public hearing and vote will occur on July 7, 2026.
• ICE Policy Research: Staff will conduct time-boxed legal research on banning ICE detention facilities.
• Grant Recipient Attestation: Further analysis requested; no immediate action.