-Topics-

• City Council
  • Attendance
  • Public Hearings
    • Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26
      • Staff report
      • Public comment
      • Council discussion
    • Zone change of 103 SW Harder Avenue
  • Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
  • Public comment
  • Consent agenda
  • Mayor and Council reports
  • City Manager report
    • Proposed 2026 Fee Schedule
  • Ordinances
    • No. 1921 – Repealing development fee waivers
  • Resolutions
    • No. 3564 – Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
    • No. 3565 – Interfund Loan for a new ambulance and remount of existing ambulance
    • No. 3566 – Interfund Loan for building renovations at 147 SE Court St and 187 SE Court St
  • More information

-City Council-

Attendance

Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey. Plus Youth Advisory Councilor Daniel Mestas

Absent:

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PUBLIC HEARINGS

Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26

Whenever the budget is changed by greater than 10%, a public hearing is held. The Council held a public hearing on the proposed supplemental budget which makes changes for 2 projects that are greater than 10%.

Staff report

City Manager Latta explained the first supplemental budget change will increase the new Facilities and Equipment Fee Fund by $2.11 million in revenue and expenditure. This will pay for the remodel of the Itemizer-Observer building for city staff use, and complete the seismic study and initial remodel plans for the old City Hall to become the Police building.

The second change on the supplemental budget will increase the general fund by $730,000 in revenue and expenditure. The $730,000 is for purchasing a new ambulance, and putting an existing ambulance body on a new chassis. The Council discussed and approved this purchase in a previous meeting.

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Public comment

No public comment was offered.

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Council discussion

There was no discussion from the Council.

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What happened? The Council held a public hearing for the proposed supplemental budget. A vote on adopting this supplemental budget (Resolution No. 3564) took place later in the meeting.

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Zone change of 103 SW Harder Avenue

There was no public hearing on the changing of zone type for the property at 103 SW Harder Avenue. This request would have looked at changing the zoning from a Residential Low Density to a Residential Medium Density, by request of the property owner.

City Manager Latta explained there was no hearing because of an error in the staff report. The matter, if still pursued by the property owner, would need to go back through the Planning Commission before returning to the Council.

What happened? No public hearing was held on this topic due to an error in the staff report. It might return to the Council in the future, after going back to the Planning Commission first.

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Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations

None.

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Public Comment

• Dallas Resident
  • Self and spouse are business owners
    • Just bought West Valley Taphouse
      • Revitalizing and modernizing the space
        • Not a remodel
      • Making the space more female friendly
        • And friendly for everyone
    • Soft opening June 1, 2026
      • Open to Mug Club Members
    • Hard opening June 5, 2026 – hopefully

• President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
  • Invited Mug Club Members to visit the pool first before the soft open
  • Salt Creek Cider House did a fundraising event
    • Musical Bingo
      • 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s music
        • Pres. Hurd admitted to only knowing “Who Let the Dogs Out”
      • $542 raised
        • Claimed it was the “easiest money raised”
  • Next fundraiser – Moonfall Theater
    • Moonfall goes to the Country – May 30, 2026
      • Tickets and more info in link above
  • A new aerobics class is increasing aquatic memberships
    • Instructor Christy is teaching a Core In class
  • Busy weekend ahead
    • 10 private swimming lessons starting
    • 5 rentals
      • 3 School trips
        • $650 – cost to rent for about 100 kids
      • 2 parties
        • $400-650 – cost earned per party rental
    • Swim meet
      • $1,000 – cost earned for rental

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Consent Agenda

The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.

What’s on the consent agenda?

• Building Safety Month Proclamation – pg. 97
• Approve the April 6, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 98
• Approve the April 6, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 99-100
• March 2026 Financial Report – pg. 101-132

What happened? This passed unanimously.

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Mayor and Council Reports

Councilor Blosser passed along a message to Fire & EMS Chief April Wallace from a Father who thanked all those who responded and helped during daughter’s seizure. Pointed to the positive culture created by Chief Wallace in the department.

Councilor Schilling reported a good meeting with Rep. Andrea Salinas at the La Creole event. Encouraged residents to speak to their representatives, at all levels of government. Said Rep. Salinas will look at helping with the dam project through pressuring agencies to help reduce state regulations.

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City Manager report

Proposed 2026 Fee Schedule

In preparation for future action, the Council reviewed the city fee schedule for 2026. This early review gave the Councilors an opportunity to discuss the changes and direct staff to make any updates.

Most fees are looking at a 6% increase, with building division fees increasing only 3% following the CPI-U Pacific Cities index. Some fees won’t change, like the cost for general daily admission to the Dallas Aquatic Center.

Some proposed changes:

Review all the proposed changes in the council agenda, pg. 135-144.

Councilor Shein asked when the last fee increase was. City Manager Latta said it is an annual process. Also explained that the city compares numbers against other similarly size cities. Based on that comparison, Latta believed Dallas’ fees are competitive.

Keeping track: In 2025, the Council voted to raise most fees by 2.8%.

Council President Briggs asked a question specific to the Fire Med fee for city residents vs. non-residents. Latta shared some non-residents are still within the city fire coverage area, so it made sense to match the costs for both. The $100 fee will count for the 1st member of a household. Each additional member of the house added to Fire Med would cost an additional $25.

Councilor Shein asked to confirm, a 2 person household would cost $125. Latta confirmed.

City Manager Latta also shared this fee change will help to reverse the negative Fire Med fund and turn it positive. Currently the fund is at a $30,000 deficit. With this fee change, it’s expected to generate a positive $20,000 fund.

Councilor Spivey asked how the 6% increase was determined, and why some fees were increased while others were not changed. City Manager Latta explained the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was considered, and the rate was compared against other cities. A 6% increase in the fees is projected to better sustain the general fund over time.

Councilor Spivey wondered if trying to catch up to other cities fees would make Dallas less competitive. The City Manager Latta noted that is a good point, but Dallas is still playing catch up. This increase won’t put the city ahead, just in alignment. This increase should not cause a slowing of growth according to Latta.

There was a short discussion between Councilor Spivey, Council President Briggs, and City Manager Latta about why there is an increase to taxi cab fees when there are no taxis in Dallas. There used to be a couple taxi drivers in the city, but there are currently none. Briggs joked about calling Fire Med for transportation needs.

Councilor Shein asked how many cities have a business license requirement. Latta was unsure but Dallas does not require a business license. There are some pros and cons to it. A business license pro is having a better understanding of what new businesses come to the city. This allows the city to help get required permits completed. However, as a con, a business can sometimes see that license as a tax or an extra fee.

Councilor Barrientos pointed out a large increase for the critical care transportation fee and asked for more information. Chief of Fire & EMS April Wallace, explained that specific paramedic position is a higher level. It carries higher levels of care and also requires more training.

Barrientos asked for examples of the higher levels of care provided. Wallace explained things like giving medication, medical interventions, and administering blood.

Councilor Schilling asked if a heart attack patient transport would qualify under critical care. Wallace said no, as that transport can be done by paramedics. This critical care position replaces a hospital nurse riding in the ambulance. There is currently only 1 staff at this level in the department.

Wallace also shared that the previous method of small and incremental increases to this fee has put the city behind other comparable providers. This increase will get the city closer to those other providers.

Council President Briggs wondered if this critical care fee could increase more, in order to help catch up to other cities. City Manager Latta shared a 10% increase was considered, but even that would still put the city lower than others. There is also a cap on how much the federal government will reimburse for Medicaid and Medicare. The federal government won’t pay more on those costs, but private insurance and cash payers would. A 6% increase felt more do-able.

Councilor Schilling asked if the building fee increases at 3% are from the state building code. Latta explained the state building division still has to review those specific fees. The city makes a proposal and the state acknowledges and adds the updates to their online system.

Schilling asked specifically about the annexation and zoning fee and how it compares to other cities like Salem. City Manager Latta noted some of Dallas’ comparable cities in Oregon are Newberg, Gladstone, Monmouth, and Independence. There is a wide range among those cities in their annex and zone fees.

Councilor Spivey encouraged the city to adjust fees individually, if needed, instead of a blanket change for all fees. Spivey liked how Latta thinks overall. The suggestion was noted for next year.

Councilor Schilling said more in-depth information and comparables in the future would help the Councilors do their work instead of just following along.

Councilor Shein agreed with the desire to see comparables.

What happened? The Council offered no specific changes to the proposed fee schedule. A resolution with the changes for the fee schedule will come to the Council for a vote on June 15, 2026. If approved, new fees become effective on July 1, 2026, with the Aquatic Center fees taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

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ORDINANCES

No. 1921 – Repealing Development Fee Waivers

The Council passed their 2nd reading of the ordinance to repeal development fee waivers. The ordinance was then adopted by a 9-0 vote.

Removing this section from the code doesn’t completely remove the Council’s ability to offer waivers. Those can still be offered on a case by case basis.

The Public Administration Standing Committee discussed this topic in their March 2026 meeting where it was pointed out that according to memory no fee waiver has ever been requested. The committee agreed to suggest this code for removal.

• Development fee waivers being removed from city code
  • Sign permit
  • Demolition permit
  • Driveway permit
  • Sidewalk permit
  • Water and sewer service connection charges above actual cost of materials used
  • Cost of oversizing public works infrastructures, including, but not limited to, costs for water lines larger than six inches, sewer lines larger than eight inches, storm sewer lines larger than 18 inches, and streets wider than 34 feet

(City code 9.850, section 2)

What happened? After the 2nd reading, all Councilors voted to adopt the ordinance. It becomes effective on May 20, 2026.

VOTE BREAKDOWN

For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.

Against: 

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RESOLUTIONS

No. 3564 – Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026

After the public hearing earlier in the meeting, the Council voted to pass the proposed supplemental budget.

The 1st part of the supplemental budget is an increase to the general fund by $730,000 in revenue and expenditure. This money is to purchase a new ambulance, and put an existing ambulance body on a new chassis. The Council discussed and approved this purchase in a previous meeting.

The money will come from an interfund loan from the city’s Storm System Development Charges Fund. The rate and the term of the loan are discussed in the following resolution (No. 3565) considered by the Council.

What is an interfund loan? An interfund loan is when the city borrows money from a different city fund and pays it back with interest.

• Follow the money:
  • $730,000 – Supplemental budget change
    • $455,000 – New ambulance
      • Plus required supplies and equipment
    • $275,000 – Remount a 2016 ambulance body on a new chassis

The 2nd part of the supplemental budget accounts for the new Facilities and Equipment Fee Fund with $2.11 million in revenue and expenditure. This covers the planned $2.05 million for the Itemizer-Observer building remodel for city staff use, and the seismic study and initial remodel plans for the new Police building in the old City Hall.

There is also an additional $60,000 being moved to account for 2 months of the new fee in this fiscal year. That totals $2.11 million in changes for the second portion of the supplemental budget.

• Follow the money:
  • $2,110,000 – Supplemental budget change
    • $2,050,000 – Police building costs
      • $2,000,000 – Remodel IO building for city staff use
      • $50,000– City Hall seismic analysis and initial remodel plans
    • $60,000 – Cover 2 months of the new fee for the fiscal year

Councilor Holsapple had a question for this and the following resolution because they are related. Holsapple wanted to know how the money is raised to pay for the interest on each payment since the interest is not included in the supplemental budget now.

Cecilia Ward, Finance Director for the city, explained the supplemental budget only relates to the principal amount needed to buy upfront. The interest on payments are planned into the repayment amounts in following annual budgets.

What happened? The Council voted to approve the supplemental budget changes with all 9 votes.

VOTE BREAKDOWN

For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.

Against: 

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No. 3565 – Interfund Loan for a new ambulance and remount of existing ambulance

After the public hearing and the vote on the supplemental budget in the last resolution (No. 3564), the Council voted to approve the first interfund loan. This resolution sets the loan length and interest rate on the interfund loan to purchase a new ambulance, and put an existing ambulance body on a new chassis.

What is an interfund loan? An interfund loan is when the city borrows money from a different city fund and pays it back with interest.

The interest rate for this loan is set to be 3.5%, with the loan scheduled to be paid off in 2033.

Did you know? The city currently has 5 interfund loans. All 5 loans originally totaled $2,093,815. Now those 5 loans have a remaining combined balance of $1,148,577.

What happened? The Council adopted the resolution for this interfund loan with a 9 to 0 vote. This will purchase a new ambulance, and put an existing ambulance body on a new chassis.

VOTE BREAKDOWN

For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.

Against: 

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No. 3566 – Interfund Loan for building renovations at 147 SE Court St and 187 SE Court St

In the final resolution of the meeting, the Council approved the interfund loan to remodel the Itemizer-Observer (IO) building for city staff use, and complete the seismic study and initial remodel plans for the old City Hall to become the Police building.

Earlier in the meeting a public hearing was held on this topic. It was followed by a vote on the supplemental budget under a previous resolution (No. 3564).

What is an interfund loan? An interfund loan is when the city borrows money from a different city fund and pays it back with interest.

The interest rate for this loan is set by the Council, and will be 3.5%. This specific loan is scheduled to be paid off in 2035.

What happened? The Council voted to adopt the resolution for this interfund loan to remodel the IO building into city offices and turn the old City Hall building into a Police station. It was a 9-0 vote.

VOTE BREAKDOWN

For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.

Against:

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-More Information-

• City Council full agenda
• City Council YouTube video archive

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