Tigard City Council Workshop Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Tigard City Council held a workshop meeting on October 21, 2025, addressing city operations, a council vacancy process, a detailed revenue and budget update, a special event cost analysis, and a review of council goals. Public comments focused on event costs and homelessness regulations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dennis Wasnik (Tigard resident) expressed concern about rising property taxes (his increased ~$1,000, ~10%) and questioned city spending on events. He cited costs per person: Juneteenth ($28,000 for 150 attendees = $186/person), Pride ($35,000, $57/person), El Tigre Fest ($108,000, $42/person, 0.052% of community), and 4th of July ($144,000 for 8,000 attendees = $18/person). He suggested combining events to save money.
• Marsden Smith (Tigard resident) opposed the proposed time, place, and manner ordinance for homeless camping, stating that allowing camping with sobriety requirements could create liability for the city, citing anecdotal experiences of intoxicated individuals.
• Written comments (14 received) addressed a proactive rental inspection program, homeless campers and storage, and a traffic signal on Hall Boulevard.

Discussion Items

• Council Vacancy Appointment Process: City Attorney Rihala presented the process used for Councilor Schlack's appointment (written applications, screening, finalist interviews). Council debated adding a community committee for initial screening. Council President Wolf advocated for a committee of appointed board members; Councilors Schlack, Shaw, Robbins, and Godusi preferred the council handle all screening, citing accountability. The majority agreed to replicate the previous process. Timeline: Applications due November 21, finalists selected December 2, interviews and appointment December 9, start date January 1, 2026. Interview questions to follow the mayoral appointment format (5 written, 5 oral) but possibly reduced to 8 oral questions. Youth council will not participate in appointments.
• Budget and Revenue Update: Finance Director King presented a comprehensive review of city revenues and expenditures. Key points: property tax growth capped at 3% annually; city's general fund permanent rate ($2.5131 per $1,000) and public safety levy ($0.29) are among lowest regionally; right-of-way fees (5% of gross revenues) generate ~$9M/year; park and recreation fee ($9.38/month) covers only half of costs; street maintenance fee ($9.11/month) fund is healthy. Operating costs have risen ~4% annually over five years while revenue grew ~2%. The general fund used reserves in FY2025 despite budget underspending. Interest earnings and traffic fines are volatile. Fiscal sustainability will require difficult trade-offs.
• Special Event Analysis: Staff presented cost and attendance data for four city-sponsored events (4th of July, Juneteenth, Pride, El Tigre Fest). Costs are rising without matching revenue. Observations: partnership support declining, increased reliance on contractors. A sponsorship analysis recommended raising minimum sponsorship levels to $2,000. Council discussed service levels. Councillor Robbins noted high per-attendee costs for Juneteenth ($186) and urged cost control. Councillor Schlack considered spending excessive ($389,000 total) and advocated scaling back to prioritize other services. Councillor Shaw supported maintaining events but with budget cuts and aggressive sponsorship. Council President Wolf sought longer lead time for sponsorships. General consensus to continue events but with cost reductions and enhanced sponsorship efforts.
• Council Goals Update: Assistant City Manager Hendrix provided a written memo on progress toward 2025-26 goals. Councillor Schlack requested a more detailed slide presentation in the future and noted the goals were overly broad.

Key Outcomes

• Council Vacancy: Directed staff to follow the previous appointment process (council handles screening and interviews) with a timeline of application deadline November 21, finalist selection December 2, and appointment December 9, with the new member starting January 1, 2026. Interview questions will be reduced to 8 from 10, and the youth council will not participate in advisory votes.
• Time/Place/Manner Ordinance: No change to city ordinance next week (October 28); public comments continue to be accepted.
• Special Events: Council did not vote but expressed direction to maintain all four events, seek cost reductions (e.g., reconsider drone show for 4th of July), and intensify early sponsorship efforts. Staff to explore tiered sponsorships and potential parking revenue.
• Budget and Revenue: No formal action; the council acknowledged the structural deficit and that trade-offs will be needed in the upcoming budget cycle.
• Workplace Training: The mayor announced that respectful workplace training for council and city leadership is underway as a first step toward improved communication and accountability.