City of Gresham

City of Gresham, Fire & Rescue

The Gresham City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to make permanent an expiring $7.50 monthly utility fee to help stave off cuts to police and fire services, two weeks after voters rejected a property tax increase intended for that purpose.

Source: oregonlive.com (Jun 4, 2014)

The utility fee is now expected bring in $3.7 million in 2014-15. The tax would have raised $5.4 million toward next year's budget. Budget Director Sharron Monohon said officials would suggest amendments to the city's proposed budget to keep it in balance.

"We have no choice but to protect our people," said council member Karylinn Echols.

The utility fee was due to expire June 30.

The city's proposed budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which starts July 1, included $5.4 million from an "unspecified source" that would replace the sunsetting fee.

City leaders had hoped the new source would be a tax hike of $1.25 per $1,000 in taxable assessed property value at the May 20 ballot. The vote was so close that Mayor Shane Bemis wouldn't concede defeat for days afterward. But the narrow margin against the measure persisted as the final votes were counted. Read more.

City of Gresham, Fire & Rescue

Gresham officials made clear this week they are unwilling to cut more than $5 million from public safety and parks, a little more than a week after voters narrowly defeated a tax levy that would have paid the bill.

Source: oregonlive.com (May 30, 2014)

The only solution to the funding gap that elected officials and appointees to a city budget committee offered at meeting Thursday?

Reinstating a "temporary" fee charged through city utility bills. And that fee may go up from the $7.50 residents have been paying each month for more than a year.

Mayor Shane Bemis called for the Gresham City Council to meet in a special session immediately before the budget committee meets Tuesday (June 3, 2014, 6:30PM) evening. Bemis, a key backer of the failed tax measure, made it clear he expects members to vote for an alternative source of funding. Read more.

Gang Prevention Summit When: Thu May 01, 2014 10-11:30AM Where: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

You're invited!
Join Mayor Shane Bemis, Gresham City Council, Police Chief Craig Junginger, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill and other community leaders to learn about gang activity in Gresham and our collaborative approach to improve public safety and livability.

Kid's Helmet Giveaway! When: Sat May 10, 2014 9AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Look for the Transportation Planning booth at the Gresham Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gresham is partnering with the Oregon Nurses Association to provide free children's bike helmets and bike safety information. Helmets are limited to stock on hand, and children need to be present to be fit.

LED streetlight, Capri Terrace

Monday, May 19th, the Capri Terrace area of Wilkes East began receiving new LED streetlights -- replacing the old familiar 'pink glow' high-pressure sodium lights. The new streetlights are white, bright and money saving, but some folks say they also create more shadows at night.

What a bright idea: Gresham switching to LED streetlights

Source: Gresham Outlook website

Cost to keep lights on will go from $600,000 a year to $100,000 with new program

In yet another green effort to save energy and money, Gresham is starting a major streetlight replacement project, which will convert the city’s streetlights to high-efficiency LED bulbs. The move will save approximately $500,000 a year in costs.

Cities across the nation — even the globe — are turning to light-emitting diode lights as a way to save money and the environment.

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods When: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Public welcome
The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM