Greg Ellis: Independence’s Budget, Parks & the $20 Fee | Indy Central Ep. 10

Former Independence city manager and City Council candidate Greg Ellis joins me to talk through the city’s budget, the $20 fee for parks, the library and museum, and the decisions that led to the current debate. We start with urban renewal and how Greg approached financing the civic center, then discuss staffing costs, housing development, SDCs and the effect of city fees on renters. Greg shares his perspective on the referendum and park closures, while we work through the differences between interfund loans, transfers and allocating staff costs across utility funds. We also discuss the water treatment project, population forecasts, water rates and what an individual city councilor can actually change. Toward the end, we talk about staying civil through disagreements and a Facebook post Greg says he regrets. Hosted by Dana Sharman. Indy Central features conversations with the people involved in Independence, Oregon, and the issues shaping our community. Make sure to like and subscribe to support the channel! 00:00 Urban renewal and how it works 05:05 Financing the civic center 07:30 The levy, the $20 fee and park closures 10:08 Staffing choices, housing development and SDCs 15:00 How city fees affect renters 17:34 Referendum signatures and the right to vote 23:27 Park closures and liability 25:15 City salaries and spending priorities 28:37 Utility funds, staff costs and interfund loans 33:41 Council oversight and trusting the city manager 38:00 Water master plans and population forecasts 45:21 Phasing infrastructure and water rights 48:11 Financing water treatment and costs to residents 50:31 Water rates and conservation 54:33 How staff costs are allocated 56:26 What a city councilor can actually change 59:09 Staying civil through disagreements 1:00:18 The Sunset Meadows post and Greg’s apology 1:03:09 Family, travel and closing thoughts Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03474Bb... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Watch on YouTube:    / @indycentraltv   Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...