💰 Reviewed the draft FY 2025‑27 budget after serving on the budget committee; commissioners discussed the planned communications/parks FTE, the deferred police hire, and why sustainable revenue hinges on growing the tax base.
🏢 Commissioner David Amanor raised the idea of encouraging new employers to hire North Plains residents; members noted the city can’t mandate hiring quotas for private firms but can keep promoting workforce connections.
🎒 Confirmed the EDC has money (within the boards-and-commissions professional-services line) to host business workshops—ideas included social-media/SEO trainings and partnering with neighboring cities to share costs.
📅 Planned near-term outreach at city events (ice cream social, July 4 parade, car show, Garlic Festival, National Night Out). The board will supply collateral for the Chamber’s table and look for chances to feature local businesses.
Notes
Budget Takeaways
Chair Lawson and Vice Chair Baron recapped budget deliberations: the communications/parks program role is funded by eliminating the outside city-planner contract, while the second WCSO deputy is penciled in but won’t move forward unless a revenue stream is identified before FY 26.
Water-fund backfill remains a stopgap; long-term fiscal health requires expanding the commercial tax base. Library funding should improve once the county levy recalculates its distribution formula.
Training & Promotion Funds
The commission’s professional-services allocation (effective July 1) can fund business workshops. Members favored hiring a consultant to teach practical marketing skills instead of offering grants and will explore partnering with Banks or Cornelius to share costs.
Event Presence
Lisa Fry will staff the Chamber’s ice-cream social table; future events (car show, Garlic Festival, National Night Out on July 31) are ideal for cross-promoting Capio, Happy Play Place, and other local shops.
National Night Out remains a major draw with WCSO/TVF&R demos; the EDC wants to help recruit vendors for the kid-focused crowd.
Branding Brainstorm
Councilor Katie Reading floated updating the “City to the Sunset” tagline to something more business-friendly; members noted a full rebrand is expensive but worth parking for a future strategic discussion.
Follow-Ups
Chair Lawson to scope a marketing/social-media workshop (consultant options, budget, potential city partners) and bring a funding proposal once FY 25 dollars open.
Commissioners to compile collateral and giveaways for upcoming summer events and coordinate with the Chamber on table staffing.
Monitor the new communications/parks hire timeline (likely fall 2025) and loop that staffer into business-outreach efforts once onboard.