Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Astoria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in taxes budget
Department head purchasing authority increase
Ordinance 26-09 would let department heads approve purchases up to $10,000 without City Manager sign-off, up from $7,500, and would raise the small procurement threshold to match the state's $25,000 limit. City staff say costs have risen and dozens of purchases fall in this range each year.
Astoria Municipal Code modernization, Phase 1
Staff proposed 10 code amendments, from raising the department-head purchase limit to $10,000 to repealing obsolete licenses for pinball machines and drive-in restaurants. Bigger policy items include making liquor licenses administrative and replacing the general occupation tax with a business license program by July 2027.
2027 State Legislative Priorities
Astoria's first formal legislative agenda targets $7 million in direct asks — a $6 million Clearwell water tank and lab, $500K each for Customs House workforce housing and the Aquatic Center — plus a Highway 30 chairwall study and SB 48 reform.