The City Council of Wilsonville, Oregon, convened on September 4, 2025, for a work session and regular meeting, focusing on critical transportation funding and economic challenges facing the city.

The meeting began with discussions surrounding the funding necessary to advance the bridge project, with Councilor Shevlin highlighting the need for $6 million to initiate the next phase. She noted that while the total cost for a complete bridge replacement could exceed $1 billion, the recent allocation of $1 million from the state was a crucial step in maintaining momentum for the project. This funding was secured through the efforts of Senator Neurom Mislan and was described as vital for starting the planning process.

Councilor Barry emphasized the importance of transportation issues, noting that tolling would no longer be considered, a topic that had generated significant discussion in previous sessions. He reiterated the city's commitment to exploring multimodal transportation options and expressed disappointment over the lack of funding for joint transportation initiatives despite unanimous support in prior sessions.

The council also addressed the economic outlook for Wilsonville, with Councilor Dunwell reporting a negative balance of $888,000,000 following the September revenue report. He indicated that the upcoming short legislative session would require a rebalancing of the state budget, which could impact funding for various programs. The discussion highlighted concerns about economic contraction in Oregon, particularly affecting major employers like Intel and Nike, and the potential implications for local revenue generation.

Councilor Cunningham called for a return to basic fiscal responsibility, suggesting that the council focus on stabilizing the city’s budget rather than pursuing new initiatives. He expressed gratitude for the updates on the transportation bill and voiced concerns about state legislation that could undermine local control.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for strategic planning to navigate the anticipated economic challenges. Council members acknowledged the importance of maintaining local governance and fiscal health as they prepare for future legislative sessions. The council plans to continue monitoring the situation closely and will seek to ensure that Wilsonville's interests are represented in state discussions.