Keizertimes: Council ducks on public fee vote

Good morning.

At this hour, it doesn’t look like Keizer voters get a say on a doubling of the city’s police fee.

For months, some Keizer city councilors said they would ask voters about the increase.

The cost to homeowners goes up to more than double by January. For businesses, the financial hit will be much larger.

The idea of asking people what they think of the increase got dashed this week, as our story below recounts.

The fee now will take hold without any other action. That means, the community together is being tagged for another $2.5 million for city operations.

The fee will keep the city whole, meaning no layoffs in the police agency or anywhere else at City Hall.

City leaders believe they are being responsive to the community. Public safety is the top issue for people, they say.

I wonder what you think.

Do you think voters should be asked directly?

Do you think city councilors should adopt the results or use their judgment to run the city as they see best?

What’s your view of councilors who said they wouldn’t approve an increase without a vote – and then did back an increase?

Now, here’s what we’ve been reporting on in recent days at Keizertimes.

–Les Zaitz, editor

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