West Linn collects just 13 cents of every property-tax dollar, and Mayor Rory Bialostosky is asking residents to help the city decide what to do with it.
In a column published Wednesday, July 15, in the West Linn Tidings, Bialostosky urged all residents to weigh in on "Framing Our Future," a four-phase visioning process that will produce a Financial Strategic Plan by December 2026.
That plan will guide city decisions on staffing levels, infrastructure investment, and which services get funded.
State law caps how fast the city's revenue can grow even as costs climb, according to the official project page at YourWestLinn.com/FramingOurFuture. The process is meant to force choices about what residents value most rather than defer them.
"In the years ahead, we'll face important decisions about staffing and how we invest our limited resources," Bialostosky wrote. "Framing Our Future gives us an opportunity to have those conversations together, ensuring the community's priorities help guide the city's long-term vision and financial planning."
How to participate
Residents can share priorities online at YourWestLinn.com/FramingOurFuture.
In-person input is available at the Wednesdays in Willamette Summer Street Market, where city staff and council members are staffing a booth throughout the summer. Departments rotate weekly, according to the city's website.
Two staff contacts are listed for the project: Danielle Choi, community relations coordinator ([email protected]), and Lauren Breithaupt, finance director ([email protected]).
Where the process stands
The city's project roadmap lists four phases:
- Phase 1 — Community Listening (began March 2026, listed as current)
- Phase 2 — Draft Priorities (scheduled to begin June 2026)
- Phase 3 — Review & Reflection (October and November 2026)
- Phase 4 — Strategic Planning (December 2026, producing the Financial Strategic Plan)
As of Wednesday, July 15, the project page still labels Phase 1 as the active stage, though Phase 2 was scheduled to begin in June. It is unclear whether Phase 2 has formally launched. During Phase 1, the city says it is gathering broad input on what residents value most before discussing specific projects or funding mechanisms.
No formal comment deadline or next council hearing date is listed on the project page. Participation remains open on a rolling basis, and the city has not announced when input gathering will close.
