McMinnville Budget Committee discusses $3M deficit and conflict of interest disclosures

The McMinnville City Council convened on May 15, 2025, for the first day of its budget session, focusing on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting began with acknowledgments of the city staff's efforts in preparing the budget, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the process. The chair expressed gratitude for the commitment of the budget committee members, all volunteers dedicated to the community.

The session included a declaration of potential conflicts of interest from committee members. Councilor Geary disclosed that his wife works at the McMinnville Public Library, while Councilor Tukulski mentioned his role as a reserve police officer, which he plans to resign from soon. The city attorney clarified that the responsibility for declaring conflicts lies with the individuals involved, and discussions ensued regarding the nature of these conflicts.

City Manager Jeff Towery then presented the budget message, marking his 41st municipal budget presentation. He outlined the budget committee's responsibilities, which include approving a budget for council consideration, setting the property tax levy, and ensuring that any actions requiring votes receive the necessary support. Towery noted that the initial budget requests exceeded available revenue by approximately $3 million, highlighting the challenges ahead in maintaining current service levels.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the importance of collaboration and transparency as the budget process continues. The council is tasked with adopting the budget, with the ability to decrease appropriations but not to increase any fund by more than 10%. The next steps will involve further discussions and deliberations as the committee works towards a balanced budget that meets the needs of the McMinnville community.