CASCADE LOCKS — The Cascade Locks City Council held a work session prior to the regular meeting on Oct. 13. The work session was to discuss a proposed Food and Beverage Sales Tax to pay for emergency services.
As in many cities, emergency services consume a majority of the general fund. After a committee, working with Fire Chief John Logan and City Administrator Jordon Bennett, determined that a 7% prepared food and beverage sales tax was the best solution, the council planned to put their request on the November 2025 ballot. Due to the cost of the election, they decided to move it onto the May 2026 ballot.
In the work session, Mayor Brenda Wood initially floated the idea of a 10% Prepared Food and Beverage tax, “because it’s [7%] not gonna be enough.” Councilor Bernard Seeger backed this proposal.
Councilor Tiffany Pruit expressed concern, worrying it wouldn’t pass. She had previously asked the council to offer a resident waiver for the tax, but Oregon law does not allow this type of exemption. The committee suggested this type of tax since the burden falls heavily on tourists and allows residents to opt out. A large percentage of emergency services are consumed by folks outside the city.
The tax does not apply to groceries or alcohol.
The council agreed that the current funding model for EMS services is not sustainable, yet the services are valued by the city.
Public comment featured a call for a Land Acknowledgment, delivered on Indigenous People’s Day, by Marva Janik, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon, accompanied by JoAnn Wittenberg. Both are longtime Cascade Locks residents. Janik said that such acknowledgments promote “truth, recognition, and healing” and serve to bring a divided community together.
Though a council majority of Wood, Pruit, Marianne Bump, and Courtnee Keilman have been adamantly against any sort of inclusive statement, Keilman shifted a bit in council comments. “I hear how important this issue is to our community and the upset of the perceived lack of transparency of our council. I would like to revisit putting the proclamation back on the agenda,” she said.
Pruit agreed to support that proclamation, but clarified, “I can’t support more than that.”
Bennett approached the council for approval to hire a Public Works Director. Several members expressed concerns about adding staff, with Pruit saying she couldn’t see how it was a full-time job. Ultimately, the majority approved the recruitment for the position, with Pruit, Wood, and Bump opposing it.
Bennett’s job performance was then evaluated publicly, which is unusual for a municipal entity. Wood shared a list of criticisms with the council. First, she objected to finding out that a staff member had been fired, believing that the council and/or mayor should have been involved. She blamed Bennett for not informing the council that the actual debt for the McCord Creek Bridge project was well over $1 million dollars, leaving them with part of that debt even after the state granted the city $1 million for it. She accused Bennett of giving pay raises without council approval (though, according to city policy, that is not a requirement). Wood also admonished Bennett for not being physically present enough, reminding him that “40 hours is not enough” to do his job.
Councilor Bernard Seeger disapproved of the lack of communication from Bennett regarding the council’s COVID funds responsibilities; Pruit encouraged Bennett to provide more detailed communication to the council; and Keilman reminded everyone that it is the manager’s job to keep up the morale of the staff.
Councilor Pete Happy suggested that Bennett develop a work plan for improvement goals, and the group ultimately determined that City Attorney Ruben Cleaveland would collaborate with Bennett to develop this plan.
The next meeting of the Cascade Locks City Council is set for Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
Commented