The City of Sweet Home presented its proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year during the first Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
In his budget message, Budget Officer Jason Ogden said the proposed $43.9 million budget was developed in alignment with the City Council goals for the next fiscal year. The goals are organized around five focus areas: desirable community, efficient government, infrastructure, essential services, and economic strength.
“This year’s goals reflect a continued shift from planning toward implementation of key projects and investments,” he said.
Some of those goals include restoration of Weddle Bridge, pedestrian improvements along Mountain View Road, development of Quarry Park, advancement of the Willow-Yucca Local Improvement District, updates to the wastewater treatment plant, and funding for the Commercial Exterior Improvement Program.
Ogden noted the $7.84 million General Fund is seeing a “modest increase” of about $127,000, reflecting “stable operations” and “increased activity” in capital, enterprise and project-specific funds.
Still, as Finance Director Matt Brown pointed out, overall department expenditures are increasing about 4% due mainly to cost of living increases, as well as insurance and retirement increases.
Small business seeks respite from council
Prior to the Budget Committee meeting, the City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, during which time they approved the authorization to temporarily close down Long Street between 15th and 22nd avenues for a special parade.
Sweet Home High School will present its first May Day Parade at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, May 15. The closure is expected to last approximately 30 minutes.
Also during the meeting, Jamee Millard addressed the council about what she called “administrative targeting and over-regulation” concerning her business, Dad Bod Detailing.
According to Millard, the city complained about her signage last year when she operated out of her home, and they complained again after her business moved into a commercial building on Main Street.
She said the complaint was factually incorrect, as “they were asking for a sign to be permitted to a sign that already existed” at her current location, and another complaint about a sandwich board and inflatable, despite the fact, she said, that these forms of signage are “everywhere” in the downtown area.
The city also directed Millard’s business to install an industrial-grade water-catchment system, but the Department of Environmental Quality informed her that she qualifies for an exemption, she said. Still, the city “ignores” the exemption and is requiring her to move forward with an expensive overhaul.
Millard left her letter of concern with the City Council for further consideration. Her husband, Chris Millard, also approached the council with similar concerns, stating the city is “actively working against the very businesses that sustain this community.”
He said city staff consistently harass the business and have not even tried talking to them face to face, and despite hosting fundraisers for local youth and nonprofits, Dad Bod will now have to close its doors on June 30.
“We are asking the council to intervene where your staff has failed,” Chris told the council. “Lift the restrictive hauling requirements and allow us to operate under our original eco-friendly model.”
City Manager Jason Ogden told the council the city cannot overlook code violations, including DEQ requirements on stormwater drainage.
“We’re committed to working with them to make sure that their business is successful,” Ogden said. “I can assure you that we are not singling them out, we’re not targeting them.”
Ogden later told The New Era that the city has been working with the business over a number of months to address permitting, land use and stormwater requirements related to their operations.
The main issue is wash water entering the storm system, which ultimately flows to local waterways, he said. That type of discharge is regulated at the state level to protect water quality.
Once it was confirmed that wash water was entering the storm system, the DEQ became involved as the regulatory authority. City staff coordinated with DEQ and worked with the business to provide clear options for getting into compliance, including containment and proper disposal of wash water.
“While certain limited activities may qualify for exemptions under DEQ rules, typical day-to-day commercial car wash operations do not,” Ogden said. ”While a stop work order is one of the tools available to us when violations occur, we always try to work in good faith with businesses to allow them to remain open while pursuing resolutions, as we have in this case.”
Ogden said the city has tried working with the business while also following laws that protect infrastructure and waterways, and the city applies the requirements equally to all similar businesses.
“We’re continuing to work toward a solution that allows the business to operate in compliance,” he said.
In other business:
- Mayor Susan Coleman recognized Christian Romero, a freshman who is trying to volunteer 1,000 hours before he graduates high school. So far he has volunteered 450 hours. “I just want to say thank you,” she told Romero. “Your investment into the community is an example to all the adults in the room and how much you want this community to improve and participate.”
- Councilor Ken Bronson highlighted that Samaritan Health provides nutrition and diabetic education on Fridays at the Sweet Home clinic at 1289 49th Avenue. Contact Heidi Womack for more information at 541-451-6313.