Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Astoria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in taxes budget
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.
Community Development Department staffing and capacity
CDD has seven full-time staff but a workload that could absorb 13 or more — 200 land-use applications a year, 400+ permits, and a stream of state mandates. Council is weighing whether to hire another planner, use consultants, or table some projects.
Three-Year Contract and Raises for Public Works Staff
Public Works employees represented by Teamsters Local 58 get a three-year deal with raises every year, better on-call pay, an extra eight hours of personal leave for three-year employees, and city-provided uniforms. Wage costs flow into the city budget already adopted.
Vacant-residential-unit excise tax
Resident Paul Crocker opposed the ballot measure targeting second-home owners, arguing it creates hardship and treats three-day versus four-day occupancy arbitrarily. Councilor Davis reported constituent questions about exemptions.
Recology solid waste rate increase
Recology's annual rate review brings a 3% collection increase (about $1.02/month for a typical 32-gallon cart), 7.3% for waste delivered by collection trucks, and a sharp yard-debris increase driven by third-party processing costs. Recology also committed to exploring a low-income assistance program.
Special assessment program for historic commercial properties
Three commercial property owners applied to the revived state special assessment program, which offers property tax benefits for historic preservation work. The commission's comments to SHIPO will shape whether the former Robies buildings and Workers Tavern get in — and whether the tavern's original wood siding gets repaired or replaced.
Astoria's 2027 state legislative priorities
The council wants one clear, focused ask-list when talking to Salem: housing, infrastructure, the pool, the chair wall, and SB 48. It's a multi-year advocacy game — small, consistent asks beat one big swing.
August 3 agenda concerns — ballot initiative and HLC appeal
Councilor Adams flagged that the August 3 meeting is packed with two legally tricky items — a citizen ballot initiative and a Historic Landmarks Commission appeal — and asked for advance legal education. The mayor says he'll walk the council through the quasi-judicial process.
Parks and Recreation financial performance
The department is finishing the fiscal year well ahead of revenue goals, with combined aquatics and recreation revenue topping $1 million and June aquatic attendance up 19%. Strong numbers mean more capacity to keep programs running without raising fees.
System Development Charge program review
The $3,116-per-trip transportation fee was hitting small businesses with bills of $20,000 to $161,000, and owners said it was killing startups before they opened. The Council suspended the program entirely and promised to redesign it with business input.
First-Ever Public Works Capital Improvement Plan
Astoria now has a documented list of roughly $246 million in water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation needs — most of it unfunded — to use as leverage for state and federal grants. It doesn't create any new fees or taxes.
Emergency bus transportation agreement with Sunset Empire Transportation District
The city locked in a partnership so buses can move residents during a natural or man-made disaster, with the city covering costs and either side able to exit on 30 days' notice.
Ocean View Cemetery Fee Increase
The Parks Department is proposing a smaller 3% cemetery fee increase instead of the planned 5%, and cutting burial liner prices from $1,700 to about $1,100. Staff noted Astoria's prices were approaching the top of the regional market, and the cut keeps full burials affordable.
FY 2026-2027 City budget adoption
The council adopted a $72.85 million budget with an $8.1738 per $1,000 property tax rate. It's about $10 million smaller than last year mostly because big capital projects wrapped up.
FY 2026-27 urban renewal budget
The commission adopted a $9.08 million budget for the Astor East and Astor West urban renewal districts, including a city-initiated roof replacement for the 30-year-old Astoria Aquatic Center. Astor West has hit its maximum debt capacity, so no new borrowing there.
June 1 meeting length and June 2 continuation
The June 1 agenda is packed with hot-button items — camping code, homeless liaison, charter amendments. Council agreed to reserve June 2 for carryover so decisions aren't made late at night.