La Grande City Hall Briefing — August 2026

Public Safety Service Fee

The City Council is deliberating a proposed $10-per-month public safety service fee that would generate roughly $540,000 annually for the city budget, with the revenue allocated to the Police and Fire departments.

The discussion follows financial cuts made by the city this year, including the elimination of a police officer position and reduced services at the library.

A second reading of the ordinance and a vote will take place at the next City Council meeting.

5-Cent Gas Tax on the November Ballot

The proposed 5-cent-per-gallon gas tax includes a five-year sunset clause. Revenue from the tax would go toward road maintenance.

The city has published a priority list and schedule for street projects on its website:

https://www.cityoflagrande.org/1014/Paving-the-Way-Street-Project-Schedule

Construction Permit Waiver

In an effort to encourage housing development, councilors are considering whether to waive certain construction-related fees for qualifying homes.

Details presented at the last council meeting were limited. The council requested additional information about how much in fees could potentially be waived and is also considering other options, including delaying certain permit payments until newly constructed homes are sold. The goal would be to reduce some of the upfront costs for builders.

More information is expected to be presented at the next City Council meeting.

How Service Fees Are Collected

La Grande residents with a city water bill currently pay an $8 monthly street user fee. The city is working on ways to distribute the fee more equitably among residents who do not necessarily have individual water meters, such as people living in apartment units.

City Council Election Procedures

The City Council voted to send a measure to voters that would amend the City of La Grande Charter and change how council elections are conducted.

Under the proposed system, candidates would no longer run for a particular council position. Instead, candidates would compete for the available council seats, with the candidates receiving the most votes winning those seats.

Splash Pad at Veterans' Memorial Pool

According to Parks and Recreation Director Stu Spence, roughly $300,000 in grant funding has been secured from Oregon Parks, matching money donated by more than 40 businesses, organizations and individuals toward the splash pad project.

The project's estimated total cost is approximately $500,000.

Spence said the project is currently in a "holding pattern" while the grant process is finalized and the city awaits authorization to proceed. If everything goes as planned it will be open sometime in the Summer of 2027.

The latest City Council meeting can be watched here:

https://youtu.be/14TOunQFYCM?si=Lpy3G02P2LIlrh8q

The City Council work session discussing service fees, including the proposed Public Safety Service Fee with the estimated revenue, can be watched here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/3KM0i2lz940?si=0hs4LuPvJk-lBCw3

Correction

A correction to this week's events newsletter: The Pie and Ice Cream event at Pleasant Grove Grange was inadvertently omitted. La Grande Loop apologizes for the oversight.

Details about the event can be found here:

https://lagrandeloop.com/community/pie-and-ice-cream-at-pleasant-grove-grange/