Funding Challenges and Solutions
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We are often asked, “Why does Gresham have so many budget challenges?”
- Rising costs
- Flat fees
- State limits on property taxes
Gresham community members desire and deserve a full-service City organization with the resources to deliver exceptional services that support a high quality of life.
The City’s
Financial Road Map is our plan to reliably supply core services.
Our temporary solutions
- Extended the monthly $15 Police, Fire and Parks Fee through June 30, 2023, to avoid service cuts.
- Used one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for immediate community and City priorities.
- Balanced the City budget for the fiscal year 2022-23.
- Approved the Gresham Financial Road Map.
The challenges Gresham faces
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Gresham's financial future
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How We Got Here
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Gresham Needs $28 Million
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Contact
Gresham is a
place we are proud to call home. From our small-town feel with big-city
conveniences to the green trees and rolling hills, friendly neighbors, charming
centers and vibrant cultural diversity.
As a Gresham
resident, you pay taxes and fees. The City uses these dollars to supply core
services you need to live your life safely, including fire and police.
Because of
Oregon’s property tax limits, frozen since 1991, Gresham struggles to pay for
and maintain life-saving public safety services for this fast-growing
community.
City
strategy
- Advocating for action at the state
level with partners to address property tax challenges.
- Reviewing current and ideal future
needs; staffing levels, budget.
- Evaluating revenue tools both
existing (Police, Fire and Parks fee) and new, a levy, bond measure or special
district.
- Including community priorities in the
Gresham Strategic Plan.
- Checking in with City Council at key
milestones for direction.
Steps taken so far
- Held City Council briefings on the property
tax system, revenue options and financial forecast.
- Extended the Rockwood-West Gresham
Urban Renewal District another six years, to 2029. Thank you, Gresham!
- Approved a five-year utility rates
package for future certainty, starting January 2023.
- Reviewed utility bill assistance
needs with a community survey. Added $120,000 in community assistance using ARPA
funds
- Stabilizing the organization's budget
gap for 2022-23 using one-time ARPA funds.
Gresham Needs $28 Million
The City Council is considering options to raise a minimum of $28.2 million to stabilize the City’s financial forecast by the fiscal year 2025-26.
The
Financial Road Map outlines the revenue tools needed to reduce the projected deficit between revenue and expenses and to improve service delivery.
Next
steps
- Staff is working on implementing the proposed revenue tools for FY 2023/24, including preparing a proposed City Services Fee structure and rate for Council approval.
- The City conducted voter polling to assess readiness to move forward with a May 2023 operating levy.
Council discussion Jan. 17, 2023
The City Council will meet at 4:00 pm to discuss specifics on an operating levy for voters in the May 2023 election.
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