Oakridge Budget Committee goes to work on FY2023-24 city budget

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor  —  The task that confronts the Oakridge Budget Committee: Develop a balanced, meaningful city budget that will be brought before the citizens later this year for approval.

With voting being done by paper ballots, Councilor Michelle Coker was elected by the committee members to be the committees chairperson. Brenna Chrisman was elected to be the vice-chair. Ms. Chrisman is a citizen volunteer.

Several of the committee members elected to attend via Zoom. The remote members had difficulty hearing the meeting’s discussion, apparently due to the lack of amplification of the speakers in the room. The attendees at City Hall were asked several times to speak up so that those on Zoom could hear.

The budget message

City Administrator James Cleavenger read aloud his budget message, a copy of which can be found on the city’s website along with the draft proposed budget developed by staff @ www.ci.oakridge.or.us.  In the message, Cleavenger spoke to the recent hard times that the city has had to endure. He also spoke of economic opportunities that lie ahead. His message finished with an explanation of the budget process and the role and responsibilities of the committee.

Initial work was productive

With that, Chair Coker opened up the floor to discussion. A number of clerical or scrivener errors were noted as well as some discrepancies; some were explained away as procedural or line item differences, others needing correction. City Planner Rick Zylstra and Maintenance Supervisor Robeart Chrisman (Zoom) answered many of the questions regarding community services. City Finance Director Colleen Shirley made notes and corrections to the draft as the meeting progressed.

Mayor Bryan Cutchen and Councilor Dawn Kinyon supplied the bulk of the numerous comments and questions. These were mainly regarding specific line items. The members that make up this years budget committee can also be found on the City’s website.