Salem panel keeps graffiti plan

The budget group restores money to the general fund to keep the program.
DENNIS THOMPSON JR.
Statesman Journal
May 13, 2004
A citizens’ committee has recommended that Salem continue its graffiti abatement program, which had been cut from the first draft of next year’s budget.
The Salem Citizens’ Budget Committee voted Wednesday night to restore $79,270 to the general fund to pay for the program, which is operated through the police department. The money will come from the reserve fund.
“It really is a crime-prevention program that helps our police and our community,” Interim City Manager Bob Wells said, recommending that the committee restore the program to the budget.
The committee also recommended a proposal to expand the Bookmobile program from 28 hours to 34 hours, which will cost about $22,000.
After hashing out these final issues, the committee approved its recommended budget. Salem City Council will take up the budget next month.
The $87.9 million general fund budget recommendation that the council will receive is largely unchanged from the initial budget drafted by Wells, although most of the minor program cuts Wells made have been reversed.
The committee earlier voted to restore funding to the Community Police Review Board, which will cost $30,650. Wells had recommended eliminating the staff liaison to the board and having the Salem Human Right Commission liaison do double duty.
However, the committee did not restore funding to the Salem Environmental Commission, despite public objections over the elimination of the board.
“To throw away this wealth of experience and education to save a minimal amount of funding for part-time staff support is incomprehensible to me,” Southeast Salem resident Susan Koger wrote in an e-mail to city council.
Dennis Thompson Jr. can be reached at (503) 399-6719.