The Philomath City Council plans to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall for an agenda that includes a discussion on establishing a monthly, per-household $14 city services fee as part of the 2026-27 fiscal year budget.
“The city‘s budget continues to face challenges from (external) factors such as inflation,” City Manager Chris Workman wrote in an agenda item summary, adding that the city saw rising prices coming but did not expect the impacts to last so long. “The city of Philomath is facing a ‘structural deficit’ where escalating operating costs, driven by a five-year period of high inflation, have outpaced our primary revenue source — property taxes.”
Workman recommends the $14 monthly fee “to maintain essential services, remain competitive in public safety recruitment and retention efforts, and stabilize the general fund’s cash flow.”
If approved, city staff would prepare the 2026-27 fiscal year budget with the new city services fee revenue included and open public meetings for input from residents before a final decision.
Elsewhere on the agenda, the council will learn about responses received through a request for qualifications related to development of the city’s property at 14th and Main streets. The city received two submissions — each interested in mixed-use development but with different primary uses. The council could be taking a vote to invite the two developers to an upcoming meeting for interviews.
The council will also listen to details and recommendations for improvements to South 11th and South 12th streets, which include the addition of curb gutter and sidewalks to the street as well as striped parking and an electric vehicle charging station. The city manager recommends awarding a contract for $630,848 with a contingency of $95,000.
Also on the agenda are Heritage Tree Program Committee appointments, discussion on pursuing a University of Oregon program that assists cities on special priority projects and a look at a draft version of the city’s 2026-2030 strategic plan.
The meeting will also include a public hearing on stormwater system development charge methodology, an audit presentation and resolution votes for Arbor Day and Women’s History Month. Various reports from councilors, council liaisons and management are also scheduled.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with Urban Renewal Agency business, which includes an audit review, before going into the regular council proceedings at 7:15 p.m. Prior to the regular meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m., councilors are scheduled to hold an executive session as allowed by law to conduct labor negotiations. Executive sessions are closed to the public.