City of Salem committee recommends cuts to council to balance the budget

Think Out Loud

Salem is far from the only Oregon city to be struggling with balancing its budget amid rising costs and declining revenues. Leaders cite property tax limits, the end of pandemic aid money and inflation rates, among other factors. But as a capital city, it’s one that gets more attention than others. Earlier this year, Salem city residents reacted overwhelmingly negatively to big proposed cuts to the library to attempt to address the shortfall. Those cuts were restored as a result - for now.

The city’s standing Budget Committee will present its recommendations to the city council during its meeting Monday evening, where time for public comment will be provided as well. We hear more details from Irvin Brown, the chair of that committee, which includes the mayor and all the members of the volunteer city council, as well as nine appointed community members. Brown has been serving as a community member, but in May he won a seat on the city council and will take that office in January.