City Hall Week

"City Hall Week" - A Forum for State and Local Policy Makers

Cities across Oregon have designated September 17-21, as "City Hall Week."  In 21 host cities, city officials will lead a forum with legislators and candidates on issues that support the economic vitality and stability of Oregon communities.

In Salem, City Hall Week will be held on September 18 at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE beginning at 5:00 p.m.  The event will provide an opportunity for city officials, state lawmakers and legislative candidates to share ideas and perspectives prior to the 2013 legislative session. City officials, legislators and candidates will attend, and the public is welcome.  

Among the issues discussed will be finance reform, land use reform, resetting assessed value at sale, jobs/economic development initiative, and renewal of the 9-1-1 tax. Cities are urging the Legislature to:
*     Refer a constitutional amendment to voters allowing local option levies of up to 10 years and an option to have a local option levy be outside of compression;
*     Support land use reform that would allow population forecasting by a third party that would not be appealable as a land use decision;
*     Refer a constitutional amendment to restore equity in Oregon's property tax system by resetting assessed value to real market value when a property is sold or constructed, in a fashion that does not adversely affect local option levies;
*     Support recapitalizing the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund Program; support the Patient Capital for Industrial Lands Infrastructure Pilot Program; and support the Employment Site Re-Use/Redevelopment Pilot Program; and
*     Pass legislation renewing the state's 9-1-1 tax, containing elements that enhance the delivery of 9-1-1 services. 

As city governments face increasing fiscal pressures they would like greater flexibility to manage their affairs, City Hall Week represents a proactive approach to raising awareness of these critical issues.   
"City Hall Week offers Salem an opportunity to host legislators, city officials and candidates from the Mid-Willamette Valley to discuss issues that are paramount to our collective economic health," said Mayor Anna Peterson.  "We look forward to exchanging ideas and plans to focus the coming legislative session fiscal and land-use issues that impact local governments and communities."