OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Special Meeting of Beaverton City Council: Fiscal Sustainability Work Session - September 8, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyBeaverton, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:23:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

All right.

0:08

I now call into order a special meeting of the Bieberton City Council where the recorder please call the rolls.

0:17

Council President Duggar.

0:18

I'm here.

0:20

Councillor Hartmeyer Prig.

0:22

Here.

0:23

Councilor Hassan.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Councillor Kimmy.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilor Teeter.

0:33

Here.

0:33

Councilor Tifnon.

0:35

Here.

0:35

Mayor Beatty.

0:36

Here.

0:37

Thank you.

0:38

On tonight's agenda, we will begin with an executive session.

0:41

We will go into public session at approximately 6 p.m.

0:45

with the first reading of an ordinance and then conclude with a work session on fiscal sustainability.

0:52

We have an executive session pursuant of ORS 192.6620 to consider matters related to safety of a governing body and of public body staff and volunteers and the security of a public uh body facility and meeting space.

1:08

Generally, members of news media may attend executive session.

1:11

However, the news media must not report on information from the executive session.

1:16

Everyone else should leave council chambers.

1:18

We'll reopen them a few minutes after 6 p.m.

1:29

Recording in progress.

1:30

All right, we are already in session, so we're returning from executive meeting.

1:36

Um we will begin with the first reading of ordinance number 4884, LU32026-00094 Shoal Heights and Shoal Valley Heights PUD Mod Z A M32026-0081 on September 15th, 2026.

1:58

During the regularly scheduled city council meeting, a public hearing will be held regarding an ordinance amending the zoning map for five parcels in the Shoals Heights and Shoals Valley Heights PUD LU 32026-00094, Shoals Heights and Shoal Valley Heights, PUD MODS EMA32026-0081.

2:21

Okay, we are on to our work session for this evening, uh, which is a work session regarding fiscal year 26-27 budget reduction options.

2:32

I will begin the work session with a presentation by the interim city manager.

2:36

When the presentation is done, each counselor will have the opportunity to comment on the presentation and ask questions of the presenter.

2:43

And Elizabeth and I talked a little bit before the meeting that she's got four points, four different categories for tonight.

2:51

We'll take a short break after the third round and then come back for questions.

2:56

Of course, I would encourage us to try to get through the material and not stop every two minutes asking questions unless it is like a fundamental to understanding until there's a natural break.

3:07

Uh that way we can get through the material.

3:09

So I would definitely um schedule or I mean write down your question so you don't forget them.

3:16

All right.

3:17

All right.

3:17

Uh good evening, Mayor and Council.

3:19

Um, I'm Elizabeth Coffey, your interim city manager.

3:23

Um, and I'm here today to um talk once again about fiscal sustainability.

3:27

So today we're gonna walk through the city's fiscal sustainability um efforts and specifically um some budget choices that are um before us, uh focusing on potential uh $2.5 million in general fund expense reductions for the current um fiscal year.

3:43

So uh my goal today is to clearly explain the trade-offs and real-world impacts on services as it's related to budget reductions now and into the future, so that you can provide um informed uh feedback.

3:58

And uh with me today is um Carolyn Sullivan, she's our chief financial um officer, and um she's here to uh help me out if you have some detailed financial questions that I don't know the answer to.

4:10

Um this is quite a lengthy presentation, um, so uh bear with me.

4:14

We wanted to give you as much information um as we can.

4:18

Next slide, please.

4:21

So um at background during a budget adoption, we closed a 16.2 million dollar general fund deficit with a combination of revenue as well as expense reductions to avoid deeper service cuts.

4:36

Um, we did rely on 2.5 million dollars in one-time funds this year, which was made possible by healthy reserves that are above our policy minimum, which we'll talk a little bit more about in just a bit.

4:48

Um, at the time of budget adoption, uh City Council directed um staff to find ways to um reduce or eliminate that one-time funding reliance.

5:00

So today's session addresses that direction.

5:03

So we'll cover three main things.

5:05

The first is my initial recommendation around budget savings that we could find that have relatively minimal impacts to service.

5:17

The second will be around getting your feedback on larger reduction packages that do have policy impacts and will provide two options to you for consideration.

5:27

And then we will preview some significant budget decisions that you're likely to face in fiscal year 2728.

5:36

After this meeting, we are going to begin preparing a fall supplemental budget, which would include include some proposed reductions.

5:46

We have that scheduled for October 6th, and then the majority council feedback that we receive today will also guide additional next steps.

5:54

Next slide, please.

5:56

So just to provide you a preview of the staff recommendation today for you to keep in mind as you listen to the presentation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████████████████████████████40%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████████████████████28%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Safety█████████9%
Personnel Matters████4%
Procedural██2%
Urban Planning██2%
Community Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Special Meeting of Beaverton City Council: Fiscal Sustainability Work Session

On September 8, 2026, the Beaverton City Council held a special meeting that included an executive session, a first reading of an ordinance (Ordinance 4884 regarding a zoning map amendment for Shoals Heights and Shoal Valley Heights), and a work session on fiscal sustainability. The work session focused on addressing the city's $2.5 million in one-time general fund reliance for fiscal year 26-27 and previewing larger budget challenges for fiscal year 27-28.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments or testimony were presented during the public portion of the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Interim City Manager Presentation: Elizabeth Coffey, interim city manager, presented budget reduction options to address the $2.5 million one-time funding gap. She outlined a $750,000 package of immediate reductions (e.g., underspend adjustments, facility study savings, temporary staff reductions) with minimal community impact. Two larger policy-impact packages (each ~$1.8 million) were presented:
    • Option 1: Deeper cuts in fewer areas: eliminate the Center for Mediation and Dialogue (~$538,000 subsidy), down payment assistance program (~2 families/year), smaller events (Bike Beaverton, volunteer fair), suspend one major event (Night Market, tree lighting, or parade). Also reduce emergency planning, recycling/sustainability, abatement program (from 2 to 1 per year), police records, city recorder services, and arts program.
    • Option 2: Spread cuts more evenly: reduce patrol officers (longer response times), reduce Center for Mediation (scale back workshops/training), reduce sustainability outreach, eliminate police victim services program (rely on Washington County), reduce events (only smaller ones eliminated), down payment assistance eliminated, additional police records reductions, and reduce police leadership capacity.
  • Fiscal Year 27-28 Preview: Coffey projected a $6–9 million deficit (excluding the $750k supplemental). Scenarios included a potential operating levy (May 2027), photo radar revenue expansion, and full-year transient lodging tax (TLT) increase to cover arts. Without a levy, additional cuts of ~$2.8 million would be needed, possibly including eliminating 24/7 police records, proactive policing (bike/traffic teams), graffiti cleanup, permit counter hours, and events.
  • Council Feedback:
    • All council members expressed support for the $750,000 in supplemental reductions.
    • Broad agreement to hold off on further policy-impact reductions until fiscal year 27-28 and to use the November council retreat for deeper discussion on priorities, community impact definitions, and service-level trade-offs.
    • Councillors shared concerns: Council President Duggar questioned the framing and urged more internal cuts (e.g., consultants) and development-driven revenue (Cooper Mountain, BURA). Mayor Beatty emphasized the need for better communication to build community understanding before any levy, and noted PERS and health care costs as long-term issues. Councillor Kimmy stressed the need for data and time to prepare for decisions. Councillor Hartmeyer Prigg defended staff and urged council unity. Councillor Teter appreciated the framework but wanted clearer direction on priorities. Councillor Tibnon called for defining core services and affordability context. Councillor Hussen supported Option 2’s approach but was hesitant on cuts to mediation and police; she asked that equity considerations from the multicultural gap analysis be factored in.

Key Outcomes

  • Consensus on Immediate Reductions: Council unanimously supported moving forward with the $750,000 in supplemental budget reductions (to be included in the fall supplemental budget scheduled for October 6, 2026).
  • Hold on Further Cuts: Council agreed to delay additional policy-impact reductions (Options 1 and 2) until fiscal year 27-28, focusing instead on comprehensive solutions for the next budget cycle.
  • November Retreat: Council agreed to use the November council retreat to conduct strategy sessions on fiscal sustainability, including defining community impact, prioritizing services, exploring a potential operating levy, and improving communication to build voter trust. Staff will prepare additional data and analysis for that retreat.
  • No Formal Vote on Levy: Council did not commit to a May 2027 levy; further polling and community engagement were deemed necessary. The mayor expressed reluctance to pursue a levy without improved public understanding of city services.
  • Further Exploration: Staff will continue evaluating cost recovery for the Center for Mediation and Dialogue, partnership opportunities with Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, and other efficiency measures. A work session on a transient lodging tax increase is scheduled for October 6, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

All right. I now call into order a special meeting of the Bieberton City Council where the recorder please call the rolls. Council President Duggar. I'm here. Councillor Hartmeyer Prig. Here. Councilor Hassan. Here. Councillor Kimmy. Here. Councilor Teeter. Here. Councilor Tifnon. Here. Mayor Beatty. Here. Thank you. On tonight's agenda, we will begin with an executive session. We will go into public session at approximately 6 p.m. with the first reading of an ordinance and then conclude with a work session on fiscal sustainability. We have an executive session pursuant of ORS 192.6620 to consider matters related to safety of a governing body and of public body staff and volunteers and the security of a public uh body facility and meeting space. Generally, members of news media may attend executive session. However, the news media must not report on information from the executive session. Everyone else should leave council chambers. We'll reopen them a few minutes after 6 p.m. Recording in progress. All right, we are already in session, so we're returning from executive meeting. Um we will begin with the first reading of ordinance number 4884, LU32026-00094 Shoal Heights and Shoal Valley Heights PUD Mod Z A M32026-0081 on September 15th, 2026. During the regularly scheduled city council meeting, a public hearing will be held regarding an ordinance amending the zoning map for five parcels in the Shoals Heights and Shoals Valley Heights PUD LU 32026-00094, Shoals Heights and Shoal Valley Heights, PUD MODS EMA32026-0081. Okay, we are on to our work session for this evening, uh, which is a work session regarding fiscal year 26-27 budget reduction options. I will begin the work session with a presentation by the interim city manager. When the presentation is done, each counselor will have the opportunity to comment on the presentation and ask questions of the presenter. And Elizabeth and I talked a little bit before the meeting that she's got four points, four different categories for tonight. We'll take a short break after the third round and then come back for questions. Of course, I would encourage us to try to get through the material and not stop every two minutes asking questions unless it is like a fundamental to understanding until there's a natural break. Uh that way we can get through the material. So I would definitely um schedule or I mean write down your question so you don't forget them. All right. All right. Uh good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, I'm Elizabeth Coffey, your interim city manager. Um, and I'm here today to um talk once again about fiscal sustainability. So today we're gonna walk through the city's fiscal sustainability um efforts and specifically um some budget choices that are um before us, uh focusing on potential uh $2.5 million in general fund expense reductions for the current um fiscal year. So uh my goal today is to clearly explain the trade-offs and real-world impacts on services as it's related to budget reductions now and into the future, so that you can provide um informed uh feedback. And uh with me today is um Carolyn Sullivan, she's our chief financial um officer, and um she's here to uh help me out if you have some detailed financial questions that I don't know the answer to. Um this is quite a lengthy presentation, um, so uh bear with me. We wanted to give you as much information um as we can. Next slide, please. So um at background during a budget adoption, we closed a 16.2 million dollar general fund deficit with a combination of revenue as well as expense reductions to avoid deeper service cuts. Um, we did rely on 2.5 million dollars in one-time funds this year, which was made possible by healthy reserves that are above our policy minimum, which we'll talk a little bit more about in just a bit.

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