Every year, people experiencing homelessness are surveyed and counted by volunteers. The figures are sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and local partners use them to monitor population growth. According to local partners, there are about 1,300 people unsheltered in Salem, including people staying overnight in shelters, camping in tents, and living in their vehicles. Data for the 2022 Point in Time count has not been published and begins in late January as local volunteers, homeless advocate groups, and non-profit partners organize street outreach teams to count Salem's unsheltered.

Read more about the Point in Time Count on the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance webpage.

You can take a proactive stance on keeping trespassers off your property by posting signs and maintaining your property perimeter. If an illegal encampment appears on your property, you have the right to ask the individuals to leave or contact the Salem Police non-emergency number for assistance, 503-588-6123. To report health and welfare concerns about a homeless encampment or individual, you may reach out to Northwest Health and Human Services.

Salem is one of many Oregon cities projecting a deficit in their General Fund due to property tax limitations. For fiscal year 2024, $11 million in general fund reserves were needed to balance Salem’s budget.

Due to the State pandemic restrictions, the City of Salem stopped issuing permits for special events in the parks or for the use of the streets for parades and marches in July 2020. The City of Salem's intent was to discourage social gatherings, consistent with public health guidance.

As of May 31, 2021, residents may apply through the City of Salem Public Works Department to host a community event. If the event is a rally or assembly, for example, the permit application process helps organizers work with City of Salem staff to cover all aspects of the event, including public safety. However, sometimes these types of events are more spontaneous without clearly identified organizers and no permits sought or obtained. Regardless, the City of Salem applies the same philosophy and approach to both permitted and non-permitted protests, assemblies or marches.

We ask everyone to check in at the entry kiosk upon arrival. A patron card or a guest pass is required. If you are exhibiting any signs of illness you are asked to refrain from visiting the Center until all symptoms have passed. You can be asked to leave the Center if you are exhibiting any signs of illness.

The Center accepts cash, checks, and Visa/Mastercard in the Center 50+ Connection Center. 

We are not asking this particular question, but everyone must follow protocols in place which includes a patron card and checking in upon arrival at the kiosk.

At this time the Center is offering scheduled programs and activities. The lobby is open for individuals waiting for their class to begin.

As of July 6, 2021 Center 50+ started rolling out programs and services.

The current program guide is now available. Most classes are being offered, but may have limited capacity and are requiring advance registration/ reservation. The in-person lunch program operated by Marion Polk Foodshare is not currently operating. If you are in need of a meal and are able to pick it up curbside, or need a meal delivered through the volunteer delivery program please call 503-364-2856. The Center 50+ café is offering a limited menu of sandwiches, soup, snacks and coffee/beverages and is open 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily.

At this time Marion-Polk Food Share is not serving lunch in the dining room. They are continuing curbside pick-up until further notice. They are working hard to transition back to normal operations. We should know more at our grand opening in September.

It is not illegal to live in any community without shelter. Criminal behaviors that can be reported to Salem Police. Details surrounding those criminal behaviors include Criminal Behaviors SRC 95.125 Urinating, Defecating in Public; SRC 90.020, Consumption of Alcohol in Certain Places; SRC 94.195, Possession of Alcohol in Parks; SRC 94.190, Overnight Use of Parks (Illegal Camping); SRC 95.550/ORS164.245, Trespass; SRC 95.120/ORS 166.025, Disorderly Conduct; and Various narcotics possession offenses.

Some businesses may be concerned that the required trees will block the view of their signage or business and may want to cut or drastically trim their trees. Removing more than 30 percent of the crown of a tree (also known as topping) is considered removal of the tree and may result in the requirement to remove the tree, replant two trees for each one topped and/or civil penalties. While small trees may temporarily block a business's sign, trees that are allowed to grow unimpeded will eventually be tall enough that line of sight will be possible below the tree's branches.

Yes, our provider will make sure you get the medication you need. We can prescribe refill medication (e.g. blood pressure medication) but will not do so if you have not seen your primary care provider in over a year. The Health Hub can dispense simple prescriptions, such as antibiotics and Tamiflu, right from the clinic. The Health Hub does not dispense narcotics. Prescriptions dispensed through an outside pharmacy will continue to be subject to the applicable copays.

No. Required landscaped areas cannot be paved without prior approval from the Planning Division.

Punch cards are now sold in the Center 50+ Connection Center.

Trees and shrubs must be replaced if unhealthy, dead or dying. Replacement of dead or dying trees and shrubs is a requirement as part of your responsibility to maintain the landscaping. Removal of healthy trees is not allowed without review by the Planning Division. Removal of healthy trees may require a land use application and/or replanting the trees at a ratio of 2:1. Additionally, certain types of trees are protected and may require a permit for removal, regardless of your landscaping requirements.

No. Required landscaped area are for trees, shrubs, bark dust, mulch, decorative stones, water features, etc., but cannot be used to display merchandise, store materials, or any other non-landscape activity. Some areas may be converted to pedestrian plazas with paving stones and benches, after consultation and approval by the Planning Division. Any act that damages the trees is considered the same as removing the tree and may result in requirements to replant the trees at a ratio of 2:1 and civil penalties. The following is a list of prohibited activities that may damage or kill shrubs and trees:  application of toxic substances, operation of equipment and vehicles, storage of materials, change of natural grade due to unapproved excavation or filling, or unapproved alteration of natural physical conditions.

Landscaping requirements include a percentage of shade trees and requirements for plants that grow to a certain size and height. You can replace dead or dying trees or shrubs with the same or similar species, but you should not replace a shade tree with an ornamental tree or replace large shrubs with ones that are much smaller. The Planning Division can help with these specific questions based on what is required for your property and what was originally approved.

We welcome your ideas! You can use our budget simulation tool, Balancing Act, to share your opinion on what City services are most important and at what level the services should be provided. (Para Balancing Act en español oprima aquí.)

You may find these resources useful.

• Adopted City Budget Book FY 2024 Includes service area budgets for all City departments and project-level budgets for capital improvements.
• Adopted URA Budget Book FY 2024 Includes budgets for debt service and capital improvements in the urban renewal areas as well as budgets for the Salem Convention Center.
• The budget in brief provides a consolidated, summary-level view of current funding for City services. View the budget in brief for FY 2023-24. Mirar el presupuesto en breve FY 2023-24.

Balancing Act starts with the fiscal year 2023-24 General Fund Budget and lets you adjust the simulated City budget to increase or decrease programs and services. The simulation begins by using the deficit situation we are today, so you can consider reductions to existing City programs and services or the addition of revenue to balance the budget. The tool provides more context about each decision and guides you through the process. Each community member entry is like a response to a survey.

Yes. As long as the scores are from a test completed no longer than one year ago, you can use National Testing Network (NTN) test scores received from testing with another police agency.

It is your responsibility to arrange with NTN to have the scores sent to the Salem Police Department and to verify that they are received. Your test scores won’t automatically appear in the Salem Police system.

Yes, it is open. There is a charge of $1 a day or they can purchase a punch card in the Center 50+ Connection Center.

Yes, your spouse/partner and children (over the age of 2) can be seen at The Health Hub.

One of the benefits of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) system is the ability to withstand increased use. During winter and spring when ample surface water is available, the ASR system recharges the aquifer with treated drinking water from the City's primary water source (the North Santiam River supply at Geren Island). During the summer, when water is being used from the ASR wells, the volume pumped from the wells will always be less than the volume that has been stored (this is a legal requirement for ASR systems). To ensure that the aquifer is not negatively impacted by the use of the ASR, the City monitors aquifer water levels for both recharge and recovery. This data is provided to the State of Oregon Water Resources Department annually.

The police cannot prevent assemblies and marching absent a specific, direct, and actionable threat to public safety, or of violence or property damage. Language has sometimes been offensive, obscene, and personally objectionable, but has not risen to a level to preemptively stop a march. Freedom of speech is protected. Language, however offensive, is not grounds for arrest. The right of assembly and to free speech are fundamental rights under the U.S. and Oregon Constitutions. Absent a threat to public safety, or violence or property damage, the police do not have the authority to order a crowd to disperse or arrest individuals who do not comply simply because an event has not been issued a permit.

Other considerations include the size of the protest and the capacity of law enforcement to effectively and safely disperse the crowd. Acting to stop a large protest with limited resources increases the risk of escalation. Law enforcement must, therefore, work to manage each protest as it develops, making decisions based upon the behaviors exhibited by individuals as the protest develops. Again, our primary goal is to prevent or stop violence and property damage while respecting individuals' right to free speech and assembly.

Carrying a firearm openly in public, including Salem parks, is not a violation under Salem Revised Code (SRC). However, SRC 95.095 does prohibit the possession of a loaded firearm in public within the city limits of Salem, unless the person is licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

Unless officials have probable cause to believe the firearm is loaded with ammunition, the police cannot detain the person and force an inspection. In most situations, without that probable cause, the most police can do is ask if the firearm is loaded. A firearm with a visible magazine or clip by itself does not necessarily mean the weapon is loaded and does not provide enough evidence to force an inspection. Merely carrying a firearm openly does not constitute a violation; it must in fact be loaded.

Yes, eagle pairs mate for life unless one of the pair dies then they may mate with a new individual.

No, you do not.  We encourage people to do what makes them feel most comfortable. However, masks and vaccination are recommended.  

Yes, the backflow assembly must be tested as long as the assembly is still installed and the underground irrigation system piping is still connected.

Healthy ash trees are also susceptible, although beetles may prefer to lay eggs or feed on stressed trees. When EAB populations are high, small trees may die within 1-2 years of becoming infested and large trees can be killed in 3-4 years.

The Salem Police Department highly values military service in any form, and military police experience is a great asset to have. However, the State of Oregon does not accept prior military police experience as certified law enforcement experience.

There is accessible parking in the south parking lot of Riverfront Park. All parking areas are clearly marked.

There is accessible seating area available to all guests. About halfway back in the turf seating area there is a 10-foot wide concrete path that forms an arc facing the stage. This path is accessible from either side of the seating area and includes spaces for viewers needing accommodations to stand or sit.

The installation or removal of a backflow assembly does require a City of Salem plumbing permit because it is considered an alteration of the plumbing system. In order to remove the backflow assembly, the hazard must be removed.

The Woodmansee Park Master Plan update includes the anticipated well locations. Construction of the ASR wells and master plan improvements will be coordinated to minimize impacts to both the ASR system and Woodmansee Park.

You can call the City’s Cross Connection Specialists to verify that your test report has been received.

The City of Eugene implemented a similar community safety payroll tax in June 2021 to provide long-term funding for community safety and shelter services. Although the tax rate for Eugene employees is lower than Safe Salem, Eugene residents pay additional taxes in the form of levies for special districts, like for its parks and library.

Programs and approval of new shelter locations are determined after careful consideration and communication with local neighborhood associations as well as City Council review and approval. For example- March 22, 2021, City Council approved the placement of 20 pallet homes to be used as a shelter for the unhoused at a City-owned property on Portland Road. After City Council voted, a signed resolution amending the declaration of a state of emergency relating to unsheltered residents in the city of Salem was required before the City could begin working with a shelter management partner or assembly of the pallet homes.

Bald eagle feet are about 7 inches in length, about the same size as a human hand.

Bald eagles build the largest nest of any bird species. The largest nest was found in Florida and was 9 feet wide, 20 feet deep, and was estimated to weigh about 4,400 pounds. 

Up to 8 feet.

Deck Dimensions: 60 feet wide and 40 feet deep

Deck Area: 2,400 square feet

This is the minimum area. Rigging points in the structure are provided for the 60' x 40' area but other areas outside of this perimeter could be used for performances, which means the overall useable area could be larger.

The total area available for viewers is approximately one acre, or 44,000 square feet.

The grass area immediately in front of the stage is relatively flat and makes up about one-third of the total viewing area. Beyond this, the remaining two-thirds of the viewing area consists of an ascending sloped turf.

EAB is now considered the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. The scope of this problem will reach the billions of dollars nationwide if not dealt with. State and federal agencies have made this problem a priority. Homeowners can also help by carefully monitoring their ash trees for signs and symptoms of EAB throughout the year.

Contact Heidi Miller ext. 7046; or make the request at connect50plus@cityofsalem.net. Or you can visit the Center 50+ Connection Center Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. 

Downloadable eAudiobooks and eBooks are available from Salem Public Library through two separate systems:

• cloudLibrary (note: available only to patrons within the Salem city limits)
• Library2go (also known as "Libby" and powered by Overdrive)

Patrons can check out up to six titles on each platform. The library and state consortium purchase access to individual copies of each title, just like physical books, meaning downloads are not unlimited. Available books and formats vary between the systems, so we encourage you to check both to see if the book you are looking for is available.

Children have a virtual library all their own at TumbleBooks, where they can check out animated picture books.

To make an appointment, call the clinic at 815-578-6109.

Always bring your insurance card to your appointment to verify your insurance.

We will post updates at the Salem Public Library website as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sign up for email updates to stay informed.

You can find streaming videos, including recently run mainstream movies, art house films, documentaries and the Criterion Collection at Kanopy. Kanopy has changed its checkout limit from 5 to 10 and expanded access to credit-free titles during this time. Kanopy Kids also offers unlimited access.

We don't know for sure, but it most likely came in ash wood used for stabilizing cargo in ships or for packing or crating heavy consumer products.

Prior to the pandemic and before adding new sheltering programs, the City anticipated difficulty in funding current services at a sustainable level as expenses continue to escalate at a faster pace than revenues in the coming years.

Cities across Oregon are facing similar structural imbalances between revenues and expenditures. The structural imbalance is rooted in property tax ballot measures from the 1990s, Measures 5 and 50 which limited the amount of property taxes that can be collected to fund the City of Salem and other tax-based districts in Oregon.  As a result, money the City receives from property taxes does not keep pace with inflation, population or development growth, and generally the increasing costs of providing City services.

Due to ever-increasing expenses, which have outpaced this tax revenue, the City of Salem consolidated positions and laid off employees in 2008. Since the great recession of 2008, the City has been able to keep General Fund services solvent by reducing services, consolidating duties, and adding the City Operations Fee in January 2020, based on the recommendation of the 2018 Sustainable Services Revenue Task Force.

Staffing levels in the General Fund have not recovered from the reductions made during the great recession (2008-2011).  Since then, Salem has grown by 26,000 people — equivalent to the population of Woodburn — but City staffing levels have not largely changed. As more people choose to live in our community, the need for and cost of services increase each year, but revenue to provide those services grows at a slower rate.

With the infusion of federal COVID-related CARES Act and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding, the budget was temporarily stabilized. Those funds have been depleted. Without these one-time funds, the City would have needed to reduce General Fund expenses sooner.

The adopted budget is approved by the City Council by the end of June. Prior to Council adoption, the Budget Committee recommends a budget to the City Council and approves the City's property tax levy rate. The City is required to have a balanced budget adopted by the City Council prior to July 1. The City of Salem budget is a legal document that provides the City authority to spend public money. The City budget is:

• a one-year financial plan based upon estimates for revenues and expenses,
• a guide to promote valid and accurate accounting, used by City Council, staff, and City auditors,
• a policy document that reflects the plans and priorities of the City and communicates these goals to the public.

Oregon Budget Law.

Salem's budget is prepared in accordance with Oregon Budget Law, Chapter 294 and must be balanced. The law establishes standard procedures for preparing, presenting, and administering the budget. State law defines the role of the Budget Committee and citizen involvement in preparation of the budget and public disclosure of the budget before adoption by the City Council. The City operates on a fiscal year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

Call the Center 503-588-6303 and request a visit, or write to connect50plus@cityofsalem.net. Home visits will be scheduled and then specialty areas will be contacted to provide additional services.

Want to see what's new at the library? Look in the New and Notables area of the online catalog.

Video about how to access New and Notables

We use the online service SignUpGenius. Request a link to the program you wish to make a reservation for (Tech Tutoring, Woodshop, Lapidary, Fitness Center) by writing connect50plus@cityofsalem.net. If people do not have a computer the receptionist can make the reservation over the phone. If someone wants to learn how to do it from home our tech team will be in the lobby several days a week to help.

If you have access to a printer a paper copy of the Center 50+ Volunteer Application is available on the City of Salem website. Or Visit the Connection Café Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and pick up an application. You can also request an application or placement interview at connect50plus@cityofsalem.net. All staff assists with Volunteer Recruitment, on-boarding, training, and recognition. The staff person managing your interest area will be in contact.

Human activities can cause prolonged absences of breeding adult bald eagles from their nests, which can jeopardize both eggs and nestlings. Disturbance may also lead bald eagles to fledge before they are ready. This can leave them trapped on the ground and vulnerable to predators until they are strong enough to fly.

With your written permission, our clinic staff will call your primary care provider or preferred specialist, directly. This ensures that your private medical information is safely communicated when discussing any of our findings. All employees that will use the health clinic must complete a Health Hub Service Agreement.

The Edgefield Amphitheater (Troutdale)

60.6 miles driving

51.3 miles radius

The Cuthbert Amphitheater (Eugene)

66.7 miles driving

61.4 miles radius

The Les Schwab Amphitheater (Bend)

134.0 miles driving

105.2 miles radius

Bald eagles can fly up to 30 mph and can reach 100 mph when diving.

Bald eagles can see four times better than humans. Humans see about 20/20 and eagles see about 20/5.

The stage is two feet above the ground level at the front of the stage.

The stage is at grade at the back of the stage.

Much like the rest of the U.S., Salem is experience rising levels of homelessness. The City of Salem strives to create a safe and livable community for all our residents, including people experiencing homelessness. There are many reasons a person may find themselves homeless. Contributing factors include limited access to mental health support, addiction, loss of wages or employment, and limited affordable housing. The City of Salem alone cannot solve homelessness in our community. We need to work together to design programs to help prevent homelessness, create more support for those transitioning to permanent housing, develop more affordable housing, and reduce barriers for those trying to get into housing and transitional or emergency shelter. Housing and homelessness are one of our City's priorities and part of the Council policy agenda.

In the wild eagles can live up to 30 years and in captivity up to 50 years.

Bald eagle nests are generally used from 5-20 years. One nest in Ohio was used for 34 consecutive years.

The short answer is: It depends.

Generally, the hiring process takes about four months. However, the process could be expedited or delayed depending on where you are on the hiring list. The lower on the list you are, the longer it will take to work down the list and get to you.

The DPSST Basic Police Academy is 16 weeks long (640 hours). Your pay is based on your tenure of service, and you receive your regular pay rate regardless of whether or not you are in training.

In addition to the 16-week basic academy, the Salem Police Department also has an 8-week, in-house academy called the Recruit Officer Training Course (ROTC). This course can be broken up into pre-academy and post-academy segments.

We ask for your patience and grace as we work to connect you with library materials. There are a lot of factors affecting each hold. The CCRLS courier has started moving materials between libraries, but service is limited. Books on the shelf at Main Library and the West Salem Branch will be available more quickly. (Watch a video on finding whether an item is available.) If you would like more information about a specific hold, reach out by email, chat, or call us at 503-588-6315. We're happy to help.

Bald eagles have about 7,000 feathers, they weigh about twice as much as their skeleton.

If you are a lateral police officer applicant or a current military member stationed out of state, you will need to travel to Oregon at least once. All other aspects of testing can be done remotely, including a video conference interview.

If you are not a lateral candidate nor a military member, you will need to travel to the Salem Police Department for all aspects of the testing, which would be at least twice: once for the oral interview and a second time for the psychological and medical exams.

Females are larger than males. In Oregon female eagles weigh up to 14 pounds and males are around 10 pounds.

Participants in either the City's PPO or Kaiser Permanente medical plans, who are over the age of two, may be seen at The Health Hub. There is no office fee for City PPO or Kaiser Permanente participants. A no call, no show fee may apply for those who miss their scheduled appointments.

Employees who are insured under the High Deductible Health Plan or who opt out of the City's health plan coverage will incur a charge of $75 per visit. The Health Hub does not bill other insurance.

If you have questions about your health plan coverage, email Employee Benefits at Benefits@cityofsalem.net

Per Visit Fees

• PPO medical plan $0.00
• Kaiser Permanente medical plan $0.00
• HDHP medical plan $75.00
• Opt-Out health insurance $75.00

The City has spent and continues to spend money and employee time on connecting our unhoused neighbors with appropriate shelters. The City helps fund the shelters and services that many of our unhoused neighbors need. The City, through its housing authority, provides housing to over 3,000 Salem residents. We also spend resources on cleaning up the debris at encampments, on the State of Oregon property at Interstate 5 and Market Street right-of-way. On cleanups, we work closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation, the public agency responsible for the Market Street area and other areas with prominent homeless encampments. The state of Oregon will not require people sheltering on state rights-of-way to relocate during the pandemic in compliance with CDC guidance for encampments during COVID-19.

Pringle Creek flows do not infiltrate the ASR supply. The aquifer we are recharging and recovering water from is a deep confined basalt aquifer. This means that there are several layers of impervious material (typically clay and silt layers) between the creek and the aquifer that prevent the migration of water from Pringle Creek to the aquifer and from the aquifer to Pringle Creek.

The new ASR water treatment facility will be located in an area of the park that is currently open space. Two holes on the disc golf course will be temporarily closed during construction in the northeast area of the park. The layout of the disc golf course will be modified to go around the facility. A new sidewalk will be constructed from the treatment facility to the main park driveway east of the soccer field.

Trees will need to be removed in the vicinity of the proposed ASR treatment facility. New trees will be planted, and landscaping will be added to provide a buffer and treatment of stormwater runoff. An existing footpath will need to be relocated around the treatment facility.

Driveways to access the new ASR wells are needed and will be integrated with park trails and walkways where practical.

Other impacts during construction will be temporary such as excavation for pipeline construction. A portion of the east side of the soccer field may have temporary closures for short periods of construction activity to build the sidewalk and piping east of the edge of the field.

People who work in Salem benefit from the investments we’ve made in our community. From calling 9-1-1 to request help from police, fire or emergency medical services (EMS), to visiting a park, driving on roads, and even drinking the water, Salem’s infrastructure makes our community safe and enjoyable. It is our responsibility to respond to the safety needs of people in Salem, regardless of where they live, and we take that responsibility seriously. To provide these services, additional funding is needed.

About half of the Safe Salem funds will be used to stabilize current police and fire services. The other half will fund programs focused on expanding fire, police and shelter efforts — identified by our community as top priorities. These essential services benefit everyone who lives and works in Salem, including those who commute here for work.

The Safe Salem payroll tax will:

• Fund the Navigation Center that serves people without shelter
• Fund the three existing micro-shelter community villages
• Stabilize current police staff
• Fund new community policing
• Stabilize fire and emergency response staff
• Fund staff for the fire station to be built with 2022 voter-approved bond funds
• Fund and expand police homeless outreach team 

Businesses within the City limits will collect the funds on behalf of their employees. Specifics on how the funds will be remitted will be available prior to the start date, which will be no sooner than July 1, 2024. 

The City of Salem will send notification letters to both the tenant of the property (utility account holder) and the property owner (as indicated by tax records). In most cases, the property owner is responsible for annual testing requirements. To determine who is responsible, check your lease agreement or contact the property owner.

Email police@cityofsalem.net with your question, preferred time and phone number for response, or call 503-588-6100. We'll be answering your calls and questions as quickly as we can, with a focus on those residents in the immediate vicinity of upcoming demonstrations or marches.

There are many organizations in the City of Salem that accept monetary and tangible donations to support our local homeless population. The City supports this act of kindness but cautions against dropping off tangible goods at unauthorized donation locations, as these types of donations may contribute to the accrual of waste in our public spaces. We suggest reaching out or visiting the webpage before you head down with your donation items. (The list below is considered comprehensive but not exhaustive.)

• Taylor House, part of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, a home for teens and young people who are homeless or in foster care. 503-391-6428
• The Center for Hope and Safety which serves victims and survivors of domestic abuse 503-378-1572 or donations@hopeandsafety.org
• Simonka Place, part of Union Gospel Mission, a women's shelter for area homeless in Keizer. 503-362-7487
• Union Gospel Mission – shelter and service provider
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, a social service organization helping area homeless.
• Shangri-La, serving people with disabilities who are also experiencing homelessness.
• Be Bold Street Ministries, in-person street outreach team
• ARCHES
• Salem Warming Network
• United Way of Willamette Valley
• Church at the Park

Maybe. The State of Oregon runs Oregon’s one and only police academy, at which all police recruits must be trained. It is called DPSST, and it governs all the rules and regulations regarding certification. DPSST will not pre-certify anyone or any state.

After you are hired, all of your training and experience will be considered, and a decision as to whether or not you have to attend the basic police academy will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Some states do not have the same level of training as Oregon, and some states have better training. Some examples of states with equivalent or better training academy curriculums are Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington. If you are certified in one of these states, it is a possibility DPSST will recognize your prior training and experience toward certification in Oregon.

Some lateral applicants from states such as Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Tennessee have had to be recertified through Oregon by attending the full 16-week basic police academy.

Call us at 503-588-6303; receptionists or Connection Center staffing will assist you in making your reservation.

If you live within four hours of a testing center in Oregon, then you need to come to Oregon to take the ORPAT. (For example, you live in Vancouver, Washington.)

If you live further away (out of state), then you can submit an equivalent PAT score that meets your home state’s requirement. (For example, you live in Arizona and take the Arizona PAT.)

• If you fail the written test or physical agility test you must wait 6 months.
• If you fail the interview you must wait 9 months.
• If you fail the psychological exam you must wait 2 years.
• If you fail the background you must wait 3 years.
• If you fail to show up for the interview and do not make the proper notifications you must wait 1 year.

No. Bald Eagles have about 2,000 feathers that cover their heads. Their name comes from the old English word “balde”, which originally meant white.

^* Information sourced from the National Eagle Center.

Community events such as parades or large gatherings that will obstruct a public sidewalk are required to have a permit. However, walking or small gatherings on a public sidewalk does not require a permit. Sidewalks are public areas and available for demonstrators, and as noted above, the police cannot prevent an assembly absent a specific threat to public safety. There is no exemption or limitation for demonstrations in public neighborhoods. However, the Salem Police Department has and will continue to encourage marchers to stay on sidewalks or to the side of roadways, and issue citations for traffic violations when appropriate and possible. Decisions to take immediate enforcement action for minor infractions must always be weighed against the totality of the circumstances.

The Salem Climate Action Planning Process has been closely coordinated with Our Salem, the City's ongoing project to update the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan, as climate action strategies are likely to achieve multiple and overlapping community goals. Below are some of the ways the two projects will intertwine.

• Timing: The timelines for the Our Salem project and Climate Action Plan project have been aligned to ensure the two projects can inform each other.
• Staff: The same staff are working on both projects to ensure continuity. For example, the project manager for the Our Salem project is serving on the Climate Action Plan task force.
• Goals: The draft vision for the Our Salem project includes goals related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The goals have been updated to reflect City Council’s recent vote to set specific GHG reduction goals for the Climate Action Plan.
• Policies: Staff leading both projects have worked together to identify potential policies related to climate change that can be included in the Our Salem project.

There is no dedicated event parking available for the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater; however, there are thousands of free parking spaces throughout downtown Salem that are within walking distance from the amphitheater. These include:

Riverfront Park
(Note: These numbers are estimated, include handicap and reserved parking, and the spaces are shared with other park users.)
South Parking Lot 125 spaces
North Parking Lot 175 spaces

On-street in the Downtown Parking District
Limited to three hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Limited to once per day, per block
Free all day on Sundays

All day parking available in three downtown parking garages
Chemeketa Parkade (300 Commercial Street NE)
Liberty Square Parkade (365 Ferry Street SE)
Marion Parkade (538 Marion Street NE)

While we appreciate this offer, current guidelines do not recommend applying spray cleaners to library materials. We also ask that patrons do not microwave or freeze library items.

The Salem Public Library offers current online subscriptions to meet many needs. A complete list of online resources is available at the library website.

Some key resources include:

• Health and wellness information from Gale Health and Wellness Library
• Investment research from Morningstar and Value Line
• Consumer information from Consumer Reports
• Car repair from Chilton
• Online homework tools, including National Geographic Kids, Opposing Viewpoints and World Book Online.
• Online learning solutions through LearningExpress Library to help students and professionals build academic skills, prepare for school and career certification tests, and more.

It is against the City code to light a campfire at a City park. Only fires within approved containers such as charcoal grills are allowed. At the urging of the Salem Fire Department, we are discouraging the delivery and consumption of firewood at both Wallace Marine Park and Cascades Gateway Park, and ask that people and agencies not deliver firewood to the parks.

We are deeply concerned about large demonstrations in residential neighborhoods, and the disruption such demonstrations cause. The City will continue to closely monitor these events, and consistent with our primary interest in preserving public safety, will take appropriate action as is warranted under the circumstances. Police resources are called in and on standby when we are aware of groups' plans to protest, assemble, or march in Salem.

In cooperation with the Oregon State Police, Salem Police have closely monitored these recent demonstrations and have had some success in limiting noise and other actions that cause disruptions. We issue frequent and continual warnings to stay off the streets when marching or demonstrating. In some cases, we have received cooperation. In others, we have not.

Many developments have green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) that may have a ditch or basin to hold and store water and include low plantings that are intended to clean the water before it is released into the stormwater system. These are usually part of the approved stormwater system for your property, and for some sites, these areas are also counted towards your landscaping requirements. These areas cannot be paved, filled in or have the plantings removed without prior approval from the Planning Division and the Public Works Department.

All sworn police officers must meet the minimum standards for employment set forth in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-008-0010.

The Oregon Constitution limits what local governments can use bond dollars for to capital costs. These costs can include the purchase of land, construction, remodeling, upgrades, equipment, and payment of capital costs.

The City is focused on removing accumulated waste in City-owned areas and working with other private or public property owners in our community to remove waste; however, certain public spaces in question are not managed by the City. For example, the Oregon Department of Transportation manages our freeways and rights of way. The City of Salem and the Oregon Department of Transportation have worked together in recent months to manage cleanup projects and are following interim guidance set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relating to managing unsheltered populations during this time of COVID- 19 public health emergency. ODOT and the City are aware of individuals staging their belongings and sleeping under freeway passes.

We have increased to hourly cleaning protocols, we reduced class sizes, implemented a reservation system, and have a mandatory check-in process.

In 2019, the City conducted a comprehensive Climate Actions Audit to identify completed actions, ongoing practices, and adopted plans that address climate change. Much of the City work has been incorporated into routine maintenance and operating practices, constructed as capital improvement projects, integrated into City plans, or incorporated in the Salem Revised Code. Also in 2019, the City completed a Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This report provides a clear picture of where emissions in Salem come from as well as establishes a baseline from which to measure future reductions. In 2020, the City joined ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, which is a global network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Membership provides the City with numerous tools and resources to assist in setting greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and tracking progress.

All suggested protocols, ensuring the highest safety standards by a combination of the EOC; CDC; the City of Salem and the Governor’s office (also OSHA?) will be followed.

We reduced staff in 2008 and have not increased staffing levels since then. Salem has grown by 26,000 people – the size of the City of Woodburn – yet we have not increased our staff. Our fire, emergency and police staff are now responding to almost twice as many calls for help with the same number of personnel they had 15 years ago. As more people choose to live in our community, the need for and cost of services increase each year, but revenue to provide those services grows at a slower rate. Any further reduction of staff will have negative long-term impacts, including life-threateningly slow response times for police, fire and emergency services.

The Salem Police Department provides every essential piece of equipment you will need to be a police officer. Recruits must purchase their own undergarments and socks, but uniforms, boots, hats, duty gear, weapons, etc. are all provided. Extra items such as a patrol bag, sunglasses, or knives are the responsibility of the recruit.

The City of Salem sends two notification letters regarding annual backflow testing requirements. If the report is not received after the 60-day compliance period, the City will deliver a 72-hour notice for water service disconnection. If after 72 hours City staff has not yet received confirmation from a tester that the assembly is scheduled to be tested, water service to the property will be disconnected. Water services will be reinstated once the backflow assembly test report has been received by the City.

The leafy canopy of infested ash trees will begin to look thin. EAB chews through the tree’s water and nutrient-conducting tissues, strangling the tree. If there is a high population of EAB in the tree, the leafy canopy in ash trees will start to die. A third to a half of the branches may die in one year. Most of the canopy will be dead within 2 years of when symptoms are first seen. Sometimes ash trees push out sprouts from the trunk after the upper portions of the tree dies. The adult beetles will leave a “D”-shaped hole in the bark, roughly 1/8 inch in diameter, when they emerge in June.

Bald eagles can float in water and can “paddle” to shore using their wings. They will pull prey to the shore using this method when the prey is too heavy to fly with.

The Oregon Constitution limits the use of General Obligation bonds to capital projects like repair of facilities, construction, and the purchasing of land and equipment. Bond funds may not be used to fund operational expenses like supplies or employees.

A bridge crossing the Willamette River is not part of the proposed bond measure.

The estimated capacity of the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater is between 3,000 and 3,500.

The actual audience capacity of the amphitheater at an event will vary depending upon the demographics of the guests and with the proportion of attendees seated versus those standing.

The Village Network connects seniors who want to age in place successfully with other like-minded seniors & their neighbors. Villages are organized by geographic area and center around your local park. Contact Heidi Miller ext.7046; or make the request at connect50plus@cityofsalem.net. Beginning September 7th you can visit the Connection Center Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) manages our freeways and rights-of-way. We work directly with ODOT to monitor and report conditions and regularly support ODOT when extra clean up and security is needed. At this time, both agencies are following interim guidance set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relating to managing unsheltered populations during this time of COVID- 19 public health emergency. These guidelines make it more difficult to break up camps. Moving the encampments causes people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers, increasing the potential for infectious disease spread. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, camping along the state right of way is not safe, often causes environmental perils, and represents health and safety risks. The City recognizes these hazards and appreciates the public patience as we work with ODOT to mitigate the risk and eventually eliminate illegal camping and loitering when the public health emergency is over. We're at work locating alternative sheltering locations with the intent of safely transitioning to more sustainable alternatives.

The Salem Climate Action Plan will be a strategic plan to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. The plan will be co-created with the Salem community and organizational partners and will help guide municipal and local work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for and adjust to the current and future impacts of climate change.

The initial budget for the ASR project is $11.5 million dollars, funded through water rates. The City has these funds set aside for the new water treatment facility and associated improvements that are included in Phase 1. The cost of the additional wells that are part of Phase 2 will be determined through design.

The state legislature recently approved funding for the City's ongoing improvements to supply safe and resilient drinking water.

The physical address of the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater is:

Salem Riverfront Park
200 Water St NE
Salem, OR 97301

SoftballCityUSA policies are their own and can be found at SoftballCityUSA.com.

Recreation, Sports, and Activities Cancellation/Refund Policy

• The City of Salem reserves the right to cancel programs when minimum enrollment is not met. Full refunds will be issued when programs are canceled.
• Registration fees may be transferred in full to another program of equal value if requested 10 business days in advance of program start.
• Refunds requested:
  • more than 10 business days in advance are eligible for a 100% refund
  • less than 10 business days in advance are eligible for a 50% refund
  • on the day the program begins are eligible for a 25% refund
• Refunds will not be granted:
  • after the first day of program;
  • for absence;
  • inclement weather/air quality once a program has begun;
    
  • or for amounts equal to or less than $15 per person.
• Refunds may take 4-6 weeks to receive.
  
• Refunds may be requested by calling Parks and Recreation, 503-588-6261, or by email at ParksandRecreation@cityofsalem.net.

Large gatherings obstructing a public sidewalk and other community events without a permit are minor offenses. Our priority in responding to demonstrations is to ensure that all people are safe, free from physical assault, or loss or damage to their personal property

We always seek voluntary compliance by attempting to meet with organizers to discuss their plans and actions, regardless of a group's beliefs or cause. Often there is more than one formal or informal organizer and not everyone in a crowd hold the same intentions making enforcement and accountability difficult. Issuing citations for low-level infractions and misdemeanors because some of the participants are walking in the street or the organizer failed to obtain a permit risks escalating the situation, takes officers away from protecting public safety (such as stepping in to prevent or intervene in acts of violence or serious property damage), and may increase the likelihood of even larger future demonstrations.

When faced with a large group of people marching or demonstrating in the street without a permit, the City has limited options. However, for the sake of public safety, the police can attempt to redirect a group of marchers to a safer or more manageable area, or if there is an immediate threat to public safety, require a gathering to disperse.

Audio: 208/120 VAC, 3-phase, 4W, 225 Amp panel

Lighting/Video: 208/120 VAC, 3-phase, 4W, 200 Amp panel

Shore/Bus: There are two company switches. One 208/120 VAC, 3-phase, 4W, 400 company switch and a second for lighting with the same rating.

Each member library manages its own response to COVID-19. Updates will be reflected on the CCRLS Member Libraries page.

• Diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses, and conditions, such as:
  
  • Colds, cough, congestion and flu
  • Ear aches, and sore throats
  • Seasonal allergies (e.g. Hay Fever)
  • Bladder infection
  • Strains and sprains
  • Cuts, abrasions, burns, and bruises
  • Skin problems such as acne, rashes, poison ivy, and shingles
• Physical and wellness visits
  
  • Routine well woman and well man exams
  • Sports and camp physicals
  • Blood pressure screening and counseling
  • Diabetes screening and counseling
• Management of chronic medical conditions including:
  
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Asthma
• Medication management and education
• Immunizations (e.g. flu, tetanus)
• Routine lab tests including instant results for:
  
  • Strep throat
  • Influenza
  • Mono
  • Blood sugar

Bottom line: don't worry. When you are able to return those books and other items to Salem Public Library, we can arrange to check them in fine-free. The due dates on your items may vary a bit right now depending on the owning library within the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library System (CCRLS). If you want to talk through your options or need help getting due dates adjusted and fines waived, reach out by email, chat, or call us at 503-588-6315. We're happy to help.

If you feel unsafe at any time or witness a crime, please dial 9-1-1. You should always call 9-1-1 when life, safety, health, or property is in immediate danger and emergency responders are needed to help safeguard the safety and security. Please do not assume that others have called or that officers in the area are already aware of what you are seeing. Police will continue to be on scene and in the vicinity of demonstrations, assemblies and marches and actively monitor.

Salem City Council would appoint an advisory board that would serve as oversight for use of the bond funds.  This would be in addition to financial reporting requirements reviewed by an outside auditor as part of the annual financial audit.

In North America, ash trees are the only tree species to be attacked by EAB. Trees in woodlots, as well as landscaped areas, are affected. Larval galleries have been found in trees or branches measuring as little as 1-inch in diameter. All species of North American ash appear to be susceptible. EAB was also found in white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) in an area of Ohio in 2015, though widespread attack of white fringetree has not been reported.

The ASR water treatment facility will include equipment for improved disinfection and pH adjustment of the drinking water before it is delivered to the public. Around the new building, additional improvements will be made including landscaping and fencing, a stormwater detention facility, and a dedicated access road off Sunnyside Road SE for maintenance vehicles and deliveries. Stormwater runoff from the site will be collected and delivered to a new stormwater outfall to Pringle Creek.

A levy rate is the amount of money that local governments (cities, counties, water districts, etc.) have been approved to assess on the value of a property. There is a cap on the rate that local governments may assess on properties.  A levy for General Obligation (GO) bonds, which are for capital projects, are not included in these limits. When a taxing jurisdiction issues bonds for capital expenses, they go to the voters for permission to assess an additional levy.  If the City’s proposed bond measure is passed, the levy rate currently assessed for Salem bonds is projected to remain at the current rate of $1.20 per $1000 of assessed property value.

The following table shows a status quo forecast with the currently adopted staffing levels in the FY 2024 budget. In this display, the City is out of compliance with the fund balance policy in FY 2025. The following year, the City would not be able to adopt the FY 2026 budget which begins July 1, 2025.

FY 2024 - FY 2028 Summary (in millions)

Definitions

Beginning Fund Balance:

The fund balance at the beginning of the fiscal year. For FY 2024 the fund balance is preliminary based on the closing of FY 2023 and may be adjusted up until the audit is complete at the end of December 2023.

Ending Fund Balance:

The fund balance at the end of the fiscal year.

Fund Balance:

The cash available that is carried over from one year to another.

Net Expenditures:

The total budgeted expenditures (full cost for all positions and programs) less unspent contingency and a 2.5% savings estimate for vacant positions.

Unspent Contingency:

The City budgets $3 million in the General Fund for contingency, but anticipates only spending $500,000. This can vary greatly depending on whether funds are needed throughout the fiscal year.

2.5% Savings:

The City budgets fully for all positions (similar to other Oregon cities) as if they will be filled for the entire year. However, the City historically has seen savings due to vacancies and turnover. This line accounts for that natural savings that occurs throughout the year for more realistic fund balance projections.

Fund Balance Policy:

The City Council has an adopted fund balance policy (C-11) of 15% of budgeted revenues.

Fund Balance Spend:

This line displays how much is spent (negative number) or added (positive number) to fund balance each fiscal year.

Over (Under) Policy:

This line displays compliance with the City Council adopted fund balance policy. If the amount is negative, the fund balance is out of compliance with the policy.

General Fund Reduction Scenario

The table below displays the effect of Leadership Team recommended reductions to the current and future City fiscal year budgets. The Leadership Team consists of Department Directors, Deputy City Managers, and the City Manager. The recommended reductions are explained in greater detail below. The objective is to stay above fund balance policy throughout the forecast period.

FY 2024 - FY 2028 Summary (in millions)

Step 1: In FY 24 Budget, eliminate new operations fee-funded and other new positions

The City Council approved an increase to the City Operations fee effective July 2023. The purpose of the increase was to fund the first part of the Safe and Secure Community funding proposal. The increase would have funded a portion of current services as well as some new positions. Without new and ongoing additional revenue, the funding from the increased City Operations Fee will be needed to maintain current services and the following positions, which are vacant, are recommended to be eliminated, including:

• Two park ranger positions
• Two Code Compliance Officers
• Four positions for a planned expansion of SOS Team by three days a week
• Support services to City business including one Security Officer position at Civic Center, two human resources business partner positions, one human resources specialist, the DEI coordinator, one senior fiscal analyst, the grants administrator, one Community Services management analyst, one Community and Urban Development administrative analyst, one legal Assistant City Attorney, one Library supervisor, a crime analyst, a fire training officer, and one IT supervisor and two other IT administrative positions.

Step 2: Continue reducing services and increasing cost recovery

The reductions of the City Operations Fee and other new General Fund positions are not enough to maintain an appropriate fund balance. Additional positions, organized by budget year, represent ongoing reductions in service.

FY 2024 - July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024

• West Salem Library Branch closure. The West Salem Library would no longer operates 5 days/week @ 5 hours/day (25 hours/week), eliminating six vacant staff positions.
• Eliminate six vacant Fire positions used to maintain minimum staffing requirements and reduce overtime cost.
• Eliminate four vacant Police positions including two officers used in high-level drug trafficking cases, a sergeant to provide managerial oversight of patrol officers in the field during high-risk situations, and a lieutenant used in strategic response to the complex problems within the community.
• Reduce environmental and hazardous waste cleanup in waterways, riparian areas, sidewalks, and other publicly owned locations.

FY 2025 - July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025

• Close micro shelter villages – State grant funds for micro shelter villages will be expended by July 1, 2024, and 180 temporary emergency shelter beds could close.
• Reduce Salem Main Library hours to 10am - 6pm Tuesday through Saturday and reduce programming resulting in eight fewer positions.
• Increase cost recovery at Center 50+ by reducing services and increasing user fees.
• Increase cost recovery at Recreation by increasing user fees.
• Reduce Parks operations by seven positions, reducing weekend maintenance, closing restrooms, and turning off irrigation, drinking fountains and splash pads.
• Reduce Transient Occupancy Tax direct grants to community events by 10%.
• Eliminate the Youth Development position and associated grants.
• Reduce the Police graffiti abatement team to one position.
• Eliminate social service grants to non-profits providing case management and other services.
• Eliminate Safe Park and emergency warming funding support.

FY 2026 - July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026

• Close Navigation Center – State grant funds for Navigation Center will be expended by July 1, 2025, and 75 temporary emergency shelter beds could close.
• Close a Fire Station, reducing staff by nine positions.
• Reduce Police by 10 officers, eliminating homeless service team, police community action unit, and graffiti abatement services.

FY 2028 - July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028

• Close a second Fire Station, reducing Fire by nine positions.

Church of the Park opened the first managed micro-shelter community in April 2021, serving 98 people since it opened. In that time, 60% of the individuals have been able to obtain or maintain income and 33% of people served have exited the shelter to more permanent destinations. In the first two months, our program sponsors have served 65 individuals (38 adults and 27 children). In that time, 67% of the households that have exited the project are in more permanent destinations and 60% of adults have been able to obtain or maintain income.

We recognized our looming deficit in 2018 and promptly began looking at ways to avoid a crisis.

Each backflow assembly has been assigned a compliance month. The City of Salem will send the property owner a notification of backflow assembly testing requirements during the first week of the assembly’s compliance month. The backflow assembly must be tested within 60 days. If the City of Salem has not received a test report within the first 30 days, a second and final notification of annual backflow testing requirements will be sent to the property owner.

1782

The City would work with its financial advisor and bond counsel to issue the first portion of the bonds to begin work on projects. The balance of the $300 million will be issued over the 10-year period to provide funding for the proposed projects and to avoid additional debt.

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and the Oregon Health Authority for more information. You can also call 211 for general information on COVID-19 in Oregon.

Please visit the City’s website and look for “Learn” in dropdown menu with links to learn more about the Safe Salem funding. Our website is cityofsalem.net

The natural range of Agrilus planipennis, or the emerald ash borer, is eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea. Before June of 2002, it had never been found in North America.

Bald eagles are the only eagle that occurs only in North America. The species is found in Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.

More information can be found at Oregon Department of Forestry or by contacting the Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline.

Several organizations are working to end and prevent homelessness in our region, including the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, Helping Hands, Community Action Agency, The Arches Project, Be Bold Street Ministries, Northwest Human Services, Church @ the Park, Salem Housing Authority as well as many State and federal organizations. The City is constantly learning and planning with these partner agencies to define the problem and set goals, such as, increasing shelter capacity in Salem and increasing access to affordable housing.

Organizations working to help unsheltered people include: Kindness Closet, Helping Hands, Community Action Agency, The Arches Project, Be Bold Street Ministries, Northwest Human Services, Church @ the Park, the Salem Housing Authority, and a host of additional advocates and volunteers. Shelters also provide some assistance, such as, the Union Gospel Mission, which provides transportation for individuals who want to leave their park campsite and move to area shelters. Safe Sleep, the women's shelter operated by United Way, connects to unsheltered individuals through specialized street outreach teams. Easter Seals, Salvation Army, Center for Hope and Safety, St. Francis Shelter, Family Promise, and Community Action HOME Youth Services provide amenities at their shelter locations as well as in-person outreach services.

The improvements are needed now to address potential water quality concerns. The new treatment processes will adjust the pH of the water to minimize the corrosion of lead and cooper from household plumbing. The Oregon Health Authority - Drinking Water Services is requiring the City have the ASR water treatment facility built by the end of the Summer 2021.

The City's ASR system provides a critical backup supply for the City's primary source of supply, the North Santiam River at Geren Island. The four existing ASR wells in the park can supply between 5 and 8 million gallons of water per day (mgd) which helps offset increased water demand during the summer when water use is higher. The ASR system improvements will create capacity to store enough water to serve the City in the event that the primary source of water has a disruption of service.

ASR is the most economical approach to increasing water system redundance and reliability. The improvements to the ASR system include planning for future wells, both within Woodmansee Park and at future locations, will expand the capacity of ASR as a backup supply up to 20 million gallons per day.

Measures 5 and 50, passed in the 1990s, limited the amount of property taxes that can be collected to fund the City of Salem and other tax-based districts in Oregon. This has prevented property taxes from keeping up with rising property values and inflation.

Our community is growing, but City services are not able to keep up. Next year, the City’s projected revenues will not be enough to pay for the services we provide today, such as police, fire and programs for those unsheltered. The City would need an additional $19.4 million annually in revenue to cover the same services you receive today. This does not include the $9.6 million of one-time funding that is being used for unsheltered services.

A backflow assembly prevents the backflow, or the undesirable flow of non-potable water or other substance back into the drinking water system through a cross connection. A cross connection is any temporary or permanent condition between the potable drinking water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or any other substance.

Certain conditions or hazards require the installation and annual testing of a backflow assembly. For a residential customer, hazards are most commonly underground irrigation systems, wells, or boilers.

During the preliminary planning for this project, the City evaluated alternative sites to locate the Treatment Facility. Criteria used to identify alternative sites included land availability, access and size requirements, location near the existing City's water infrastructure, and cost for the treatment facility. Woodmansee Park was determined to be the best location.

There are health and safety concerns that must be taken into considerations before any sheltering can be considered.  Most of the time the vacant buildings require expensive upgrades such as sprinkler system installation, roof replacement, new insulation, mold and mildew removal, and video surveillance installation. 

These actions are cost-prohibitive as a strategy to regularly purchase, renovate and staff each location with the current funding structure in place. Vacant lots must be at least 42,000 square feet in size, flat contoured surface, close to utilities (water, electricity, sewer), outside of floodway and 100-year flood plain, not be designated as a wetland, within City limits, and within close proximity (less than half a mile) to public transportation. 

All of the above policies and regulations exist to ensure the safety and well-being of the potential residents of our shelters.

The City of Salem may issue bonds to pay for infrastructure. The bonds would be paid back through property taxes levied on properties. Due to some of the City's existing bonds being paid back in the next several years and reduced debt service payments, the City could issue up to $300 million in bonds over the next 10 years while maintaining the City’s current tax rate.

There are only two levers to fix the City’s budget deficit – either reduce expenses or increase revenues. In Work Sessions this fall, the City Council is considering available revenue sources and proposed decreases to expenses to maintain services in the City’s General Fund. The balance of funds at the end of one fiscal year must be at an appropriate level to pay expenses for the following fiscal year in July, August, September, and October – before receiving property tax revenues in November. An appropriate fund balance also helps maintain the City’s credit rating - which reduces the borrowing costs for taxpayers when the City issues bonds.

City Council called for the preparation of a climate action plan as part of their 2019 Policy Agenda. The City Council's decision follows a recommendation from the 2017 Strategic Plan.

Our city is home to the State Capitol, the seat of government for Oregon. This makes us a host for many groups and activities in which people exercise their rights of free speech to be heard by those elected to serve, the Legislature, and the Governor. We take that responsibility – and public safety – seriously, regardless of the content of the speech or the ideology of the groups. For events that occur at the State Capitol, the Oregon State Police has jurisdiction and enforcement responsibility. However, the Salem Police Department and Oregon State Police have a longstanding partnership and assist each other when requested and needed during assemblies, protests and demonstrations.

It will be referred to voters in 2031. Voters would then decide if the services funded by Safe Salem are valuable and should continue to be funded.

Not necessarily. The ASR System allows the City to store water in a natural underground aquifer and recover that water when needed. Water is typically stored in the aquifer for several months resulting in some taste and smell differences as the stored surface water mixes with native groundwater in the aquifer. Typically, recovered water supplies about 15% of the City's water supply during summer months so the result is that drinking water should taste similar to the tap water you normally receive from the City's North Santiam River surface water supply, however some customers are able to detect a change in the taste.

City voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed bond measure at the November 8, 2022 general election.