On April 22, Independence held its first Budget Committee meeting to review and discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27. At the meeting, Miranda Garrison was re-appointed chair by unanimous vote of the committee. Visitors had the opportunity to give public comment, and several community members attended to speak in favor of a proposed $20 fee to support the operations of community services, including the Library, Museum, and Parks. If adopted, this fee would appear as a dedicated new line item and would be used exclusively to fund those services.
The budget review process kicked off with a presentation of Public Works funds by Director Gerald Fisher. Director Fisher discussed work plans for the upcoming year, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade, the Chestnut Street Bridge project, Main and Polk Street intersection improvements, the Corvallis Road Waterline project, and the Surface Water Treatment Plant project, among others. The facilities budget for fiscal year 2026-27 includes the purchase of two vehicles for the Police Department, following a one-year deferral of replacement due to budgetary constraints.
Director Fisher also shared plans for early debt retirement in the Water fund, including a 2016 bond that funded infrastructure improvements and a bank loan for water rights, which will save the city $110,000 in interest.
The next meeting of the Budget Committee will be held next Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during which the committee will discuss revenue and the city’s General Fund.
You can read the full propsed budget here: https://www.ci.independence.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BUDGET-2026-2027.pdf
