FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Streetlight Fee on Monday’s Salem City Council Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 5, 2015
CONTACT PERSON:
Mark Becktel
City of Salem
503-588-6211
Streetlight Fee on Monday’s Salem City Council Agenda
A proposed streetlight fee, which would cost single-family households in Salem about $2.80 per
month, will be considered by Salem City Council.
The council on Monday will likely vote on scheduling a public hearing on the streetlight fee. The
hearing is tentatively planned for Feb. 23.
Salem has relied on the gasoline tax for both streetlights and road repairs. The city’s forecast for gas
tax revenue, however, shows that gas tax alone won’t be sufficient to pay for streetlights and road
repairs. Budget cuts have already prevented work crews from performing pavement maintenance in
residential areas.
City staff have recommended a new revenue source to keep 10,550 city-owned streetlights
operating.
The streetlight fee would appear as a new charge on city sewer and water bills paid by households
and businesses. It would generate more than $1.76 million in revenue in its first year.
Revenue collected from the streetlight fee would be placed in a streetlight fund dedicated solely for
the operation and expansion of the streetlight system. Part of the funds would be used for
upgrading city-owned streetlights to light-emitting diode lights, better known as LEDs that would
reduce energy costs.
Meanwhile, gas tax funds, previously used for streetlights, could be directed to street maintenance.
Street maintenance has sustained the brunt of recent budget cutting, losing all general fund support
in the current fiscal year. The Public Works Streets Fund has had a recurring shortfall of $1 million
since the end of fiscal year 2013-14.
In other council business:
--City staff have recommended a new ordinance that would allow code enforcers to issue tickets to
people living illegally in recreational vehicles parked in backyards, driveways and vacant lots. The
penalty being recommended by staff is a $250 fine, said Brady Rogers, the city’s neighborhood
enhancement division administrator.
--Councilors will receive a report on the 2015 High Street Hustle, a large-scale running event
planned for Aug.15 in Salem.
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