2023-2025 City Budget Now Under Review |
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The total City-wide budget as proposed is $126,623,710. The operating budget is $65,419,406 and the capital budget is $35,580,450. The remaining balance of $25,623,854 is proposed to be set aside as contingency funds.
The proposed budget is balanced, funds the City Council's goals, and reflects Sandy's continued historic investments in our wastewater and water infrastructure, and projects that enhance the quality of life for our community.
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The City’s largest sources of revenue are fines, fees, and assessments, which includes utility fees and system development charges for sewer, water, stormwater, SandyNet, transit and gas taxes. Utility rates and SandyNet fees are set and approved by City Council resolution based on costs to provide services and invest in infrastructure. Revenue projections for fines, fees, and assessments are based on trend analysis, while property tax projections are calculated based on taxable value, which is provided by Clackamas County.
Beginning balances include reserves for future capital expenditures and paying down bonds, department carryovers, and fund contingencies.
Intergovernmental revenues include state shared revenues (liquor and cigarette taxes), state gas taxes, and the county library district funds.
Grants include county, state, and federal grants for transit, police, and community services. Loan proceeds reflect a variety of new debt, largely in the Water and Wastewater Funds to complete work on both utilities’ infrastructure projects.
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The largest expenses for the City are personnel services and capital outlay. Personnel services include salaries and benefits for employees. Materials and Services include contracted and professional services, supplies and equipment, repairs, and utility expenses. Transfers reflect charges for service between departments and funds. |
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Learn More: Property Taxes |
Property taxes are the largest source of revenue for the General Fund. The City’s permanent tax rate is $4.1152 per $1,000 of assessed value. Taxes are calculated based on a property’s assessed value. Assessed values can only increase for two reasons: an annual 3% increase if the assessed value is lower than its market value, or if improvements are made to the property that increases its value. Sandy’s total taxable assessed value of $1.086 billion is about 47% of the total market value.
The City receives about 32% of a property’s total tax bill. For a home with the average assessed value of $227,000, the City receives about $1,254.
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We Want Your Input!
After any adjustments are made by the Budget Committee, the approved budget will head to a City Council public hearing before official adoption.
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New Sidewalks and Curbs on 362nd / Bell St |
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Work is continuing on the 362nd Ave / Bell Street extension. We're still on track to open the new road before the new school year starts!
This month, crews are tackling much of the concrete work, including installation of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, as well as center median planters and stormwater facilities. We're also underway with topsoil placement and landscaping.
Check out the latest flyover video for a closer look:
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Phase 1 of paving will begin within the next month, starting at the eastern end of the project near the high school. You'll also soon see excavation and installation of bases for new signal lights at the intersection of 362nd Ave and Hwy 26.
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Introducing Low Mow Spring! |
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We want to encourage citizens to let their grass grow a little longer this spring to support bees and other pollinators.
Sandy code allows grass to grow up to 10 inches in height. You can print out your own sign to advertise your support or pick up a sign from the Sandy Community Center!
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To support pollinators, we'll be letting the grass grow longer and the dandelions flourish at Deer Point, Melissa Field, Big Fir, and Champion Way Park. These are open public green spaces (non-developed parkland) where long grass won't interfere with park and activity use, but will still help pollinators. We will continue to mow and keep our high use parks in good shape for public use. This small step can do a lot to impact our smallest partners in our biosphere. |
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So why should you mow less in the spring?
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Grass-only lawns lack floral resources and nesting sites for bees, especially when the start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees. By allowing your lawn to grow longer, it can help your bee neighbors thrive by creating habitat!
Lawns cover 40 million acres, or 2% of land in the US, making them the single largest irrigated crop we grow. Lawns are mowed, raked, fertilized, weeded, chemically treated, and watered — using up time, money, and other resources.
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This Saturday: Spring Celebration! |
Celebrate spring on Saturday May 6th at Mt. Hood Farmers Market with books, art, and a plant sale!
The Sandy Library has teamed up with Sandy Garden Club, AntFarm, and Sandy Rotary Club, for a truly unique Spring Celebration. Get a library card, take home a craft, and purchase some plants!
8:00 a.m.
The Sandy Garden Club’s annual plant sale begins. Proceeds benefit Sandy High School Scholarship Fund.
9:00 a.m.
The Sandy Library will have Take & Make craft kits, a pop-up library, and the Sandy Seed Library. Tamales for sale from the Sandy Rotary Club.
4:00 p.m.
Event ends
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In Case You Missed It:
Arbor Day 2023
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Last week the City of Sandy celebrated Arbor Day, with Mayor Pulliam presiding over the planting of a new Western Hemlock at Centennial Plaza.
As Mayor Pulliam said during the ceremony,
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"Sandy is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA. 2023 marks our 17th year with this distinction. We participate in this program, and recognize April as Arbor Month, because we know that planting trees brings endless benefits to our community.
Trees not only clean our air, moderate the temperature, produce oxygen, reduce soil erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. They also boost property values, promote economic vitality, cut heating and cooling costs, and enhance the natural beauty of our town."
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While most holidays celebrate something that has already happened and is worth remembering, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future. The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with a better tomorrow. Sandy is lucky to have such an expansive tree canopy. Make sure to take some time this spring to walk through Meinig Park or along the Tickle Creek or Sandy River Trails to enjoy beautiful green spaces. |
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Last year the City of Sandy planted 54 trees at Bluff Park including 23 black cottonwoods, 10 red alders, 8 cascara and grand firs, and 5 sitka willows. We also planted 2 black tupelos at Tupper Park, and we will plant 4 western hemlocks and 2 red alders at Meinig Park later in 2023. |
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Tips for Using Water Wisely |
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The warm weather this last week was a chance for most of us to get outside into our yards and gardens. But as we move from indoors to outdoors, it's important to also shift our focus from indoor to outdoor water conservation.
You can do your part to use water wisely with these three ways to save water outdoors:
1. Check your watering system. Whether you water by hand, have an in-ground sprinkler system, or something in between, make sure you audit your system regularly. This means running your hose or sprinkler system to check for leaks, puddling water, worn-out components, watering the street or sidewalk, and clogged nozzles or sprinkler heads.
2. Sign up for the Weekly Watering Number. The Regional Water Providers Consortium offers a free service that will send you an amount to water via text or email each week. You’ll also get tips and guidelines to help you water smart all summer long! Did we mention it’s free?
3. Measure your sprinkler system’s water use. Once you sign up for the Weekly Watering Number, take 15 minutes to see how long it takes your sprinkler (or hose, drip system, etc.) to water one inch to set yourself up for efficient watering all summer long.
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Did You Know?
New Recreational Vehicle Parking Permit Program
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Did you know the City of Sandy recently updated our municipal code to address street parking, specifically for recreational vehicles (RVs)?
On February 21, 2023 the City Council adopted Ordinance 2023-05, which established a Recreational Vehicle Parking Permit program. This program will help the City accurately track and enforce the duration and frequency of RV parking throughout Sandy, and will enable the City to be more responsive to citizen complaints of illegal parking. The permitting process is free of charge.
(A permit may be renewed two additional times for a total of 3 consecutive 72-hour periods. However, no more than six recreational vehicle parking permits will be issued per calendar year for each residential dwelling).
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Current Land Use Applications |
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Here's the latest in our comprehensive database of active land use applications, complete with links to public meetings, documents, plans, maps, explanatory videos, staff reports, and other materials! You'll also find links to opportunities to take part in the decision-making process by submitting your own testimony.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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Be a part of the process! Members of the public are always welcome at meetings of the City Council and other boards and commissions.
Get meeting details and learn more about the variety of ways you can participate by visiting our online meeting portal.
Mark your Calendars:
- Budget Committee: May 4th
- Parks and Trails Advisory Board: May 10th
- Budget Committee: May 11th
- City Council: May 15th
- Planning Commission: May 22nd
Click the image below to access Sandy's full public meeting calendar with date and time details, and learn more about everything your city government is doing to serve you!
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