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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/2026 - Public Comment - Written Public Comments Summary A total of 16 public comments were received between 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 30, and 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 7. The majority (15) related to the proposed 2027 library budget cuts, while one additional comment focused on fiscal sustainability and prioritizing core services. Comment Breakdown Category Number of Comments Library 15 Prioritizing Core Services 1 Total 16 Name Mick Stevens Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? FY2027 Proposed Budget 500- Library Comments Dear Tigard Budget Committee. First,thank you for all you do for our City. I'm writing to express strong support for our local library and deep concern about the proposed budget cuts.The library is one of the few public spaces that truly serves everyone — students,families,job seekers,seniors,and community members who rely on free access to books,technology,and a safe, welcoming environment. Its programs support early literacy, homework help, digital access,and workforce development, all of which provide enormous value for every dollar invested. One of the clearest signs of how essential this resource is can be seen right outside its doors:the parking lot is almost always full, day and night.And even that doesn't capture the full picture. It doesn't account for the many people who walk, bike, ride transit, or take the bus to get there, nor the thousands of residents who access digital books,streaming media, research tools,and online programs from home.The library's reach extends far beyond the cars in the lot,and its impact is felt across the entire community. It's also important to recognize that voters in Washington County overwhelmingly approved Measure 34-345 to maintain library funding.That result reflects a clear,democratic mandate: residents value their libraries and want them fully supported, not diminished. Reducing the library's budget would mean fewer hours,fewer staff,and fewer programs at a time when demand is only increasing. I urge you to protect full library funding so this vital public resource can continue serving the community with dignity, accessibility,and reach. I urge you to please reconsider the proposed cut to our Tigard Public Library's budget.Thank you! Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard 1 Name Lisa Elliott Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Readers Services Comments Please see attached letter.Thank you. Attachment May 2026 Public Comment.pdf 1 May 4, 2026 Thank you City Councilors and Mayor Hu for taking the time to consider all feedback about this proposed budget. My name is Lisa Elliott and I am a citizen living in nearby Garden Home and an employee at the Tigard Public Library for over 18 years. As such, I have been around for many seasons of scarcity, and I understand the need for proactive fiscal planning and that balancing budgets requires sacrifices. However, where we choose to make cuts tells a story about our priorities, and I want to document a troubling narrative I've seen grow gradually over the years, one that says Tigard teens are not worthy of city resources. In 2018, Tigard's incredible Peer Youth Court was cut when a public safety levy didn't pass. Just this year, this Council decided to eliminate the Youth City Councilor position, so Tigard's teens lost representation and a precious outlet for their important voices. With this proposed budget, the City is choosing to withdraw funding and staff support for both the Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, two annual events created in collaboration with students and the school district. The value of that representation is well beyond a few thousand dollars of savings. When I first began working at the library, there was .3 FTE, other than my own, dedicated to serving teens through the reference desk, programs, and collection development. That time was cut many years ago. The library was once committed to staffing the Teen Reference Desk even when there were staff absences or other conflicts, but now the desk is staffed only a few hours a week because we don't have enough workers available to cover all of our service desks. That leaves the Teen Scene unsupervised, so a dedicated teen space we developed with City Council's enthusiastic support just seven years ago is left without a staff member to keep the space sacred for its intended audience and help teens with readers advisory and research. While services and resources can sometimes be restored when fiscal responsibility leads to more balanced budgets, all of these cuts have been permanent. We know from teen brain research that welcoming third spaces where young people can begin to explore their autonomy is essential for healthy development. We also know that connecting with trusted adults other than their family members helps build teen confidence and leads to lifelong fulfillment. Tigard is a beautiful city, but it lacks community centers that meet the developmental needs of our youth. Other than the library, there are no free, secular, indoor spaces that invite teens to become more independent while offering resources to meet their recreational and informational needs. This proposed budget slashes our funds for materials and further impacts the library's ability to provide a dedicated teen space because of the loss of FTE. I know that difficult budget decisions are often made based on quantitative data. We are big on statistics at the library, but much of what we do for teens is impossible to quantify, including: • Impromptu book discussions to help prep for essay tests • Impromptu book discussions for the simple joy of reading • Being there for teens who can't wait to tell you when they get their dream job or college offer or part in the spring musical • Hours spent assisting with the search for temporary shelter when a teen's home becomes unsafe • Former teens who reach out to say they've just started library school because the library meant that much to them growing up • Messages our young patrons exchange on the Teen Scene white board, encouraging each other to keep going when times get tough • Friendships between homeschoolers and local students who would never have met if not for a library event • Encouragement, snacks, and reminders to take breaks and drink water during finals week • Generations of Teen Library Council members modeling the value of service, joy, literacy and empathy • Countless teens who come out or transition and are able to be their authentic selves in the safety of the library Teens are not only Tigard's future, they are its present. They are living here now, and they are a vibrant and vital part of this community. Let's show them they matter and prioritize their services in this and all future budget cycles. They cannot consent to their sacrifice, and they have given up enough. Again, thank you for your time and attention. Lisa Elliott Name Jenny Stoffel Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Tigard Public Library Comments Greetings, Budget Committee-I serve as Vice-Chair of the Tigard Public Library Board.With all of the changes,transitions,and open questions currently affecting the library— many of which already stretch library capacity—the answer is not to ask library teammates to absorb more,to be more resilient, or to do more with less.The answer is to provide the structural support— in this case,financial support—that allows the library to continue helping Tigardians not only survive, but thrive.The library's long been described as a "crown jewel"of Tigard — reflecting the city's commitment to serving the minds, hearts, &well-being of its community. It has met both city and library strategic priorities,and the need for its resources is clear in their extensive use.As Tigard grows, so does demand for library services.The recent Washington County Replacement Library Levy vote demonstrates strong community support.The WCCLS transition to a centralized collections model has already affected the Data Services team and created significant uncertainty, including pending layoffs. During the recent building closure, library teammates continued to serve the community—welcoming 1,883 visitors to the Express Library in just two months.The Library's Social Services Coordinator has become essential.Over the past year,that position supported 1,201 interactions connecting community members to food, housing, and mental health resources,distributed 3,992 basic needs items,and welcomed 135 attendees to drop-in support hours. Last year, Youth Services librarians visited local schools 51 times and reached 7,213 students.We hear from patrons who describe the library as a "home away from home" — a place of safety, dignity,and access to basic needs.At its simplest,a library card represents access —a free,open door to knowledge,opportunity,technology,and support. Its value cannot always be easily measured, but we see its impact every day in how extensively these services are used.This work is carried by all library teammates— the people who create a welcoming environment, provide trusted information,and sustain these services through times of change.As you reconsider reductions, I ask you to look beyond what can be easily quantified.These are access points, relationships, & lifelines. I urge you to protect one of the few places where access,dignity,and opportunity are offered freely to all, and the teammates who make this possible.Thanks 1 Greetings, Budget Committee - My name is Jenny Stoffel, and I serve as Vice-Chair of the Tigard Public Library Board. With all of the changes, transitions, and open questions currently affecting the library— many of which already stretch library capacity beyond what it was designed for—the answer is not to ask library teammates to absorb more, to be more resilient, or to do more with less. The answer is to provide the structural support— in this case, financial support—that allows the library to continue helping Tigardians not only survive, but thrive. Additional change is already underway through the WCCLS transition to a centralized collections model. This shift has already affected the Data Services team and created significant uncertainty for additional library staff, including pending layoffs. The library has long been described as a "crown jewel" of Tigard —a reflection of the city's commitment to serving the minds, hearts, and well-being of its community. That commitment is evident in the library's ability to meet both city and library strategic priorities, and in the extensive utilization of its services. As Tigard grows, so does the demand for library resources. The recent vote on the Washington County Replacement Library Levy in November amply demonstrates the community's ongoing support for library funding. • During the building closure, library teammates continued to serve the community— welcoming 1,883 visitors to the Express Library in just two months. • Roles like the Library's Social Services Coordinator have also become essential. Over the past year, that position supported 1,201 interactions connecting community members to food, housing, and mental health resources, distributed 3,992 basic needs items, and welcomed 135 attendees to drop-in support hours. • Last year, Youth Services librarians visited local schools 51 times and reached 7,213 students. • We hear from patrons who describe the library as a "home away from home"—a place of safety, dignity, and access to basic needs. At its simplest, a library card represents access—a free, open door to knowledge, opportunity, technology, and support. Its full value cannot always be easily measured, but we see its impact every day in how extensively these services are used. This work is carried by all library teammates—the people who create a welcoming environment, provide trusted information, and sustain these services through times of change. As you reconsider reductions, I ask you to look beyond what can be easily quantified. What may appear as line items are, in practice, access points, relationships, and lifelines. When you protect the library, you protect one of the few places where access, dignity, and opportunity are offered freely to everyone. I urge you to protect the people who make that possible. Thank you for your work. Name Sarah D'Hondt Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Reductions to teen library services. Comments I was not allowed to speak at the first budget committee meeting to advocate for teen library services,so I have attached my original comment below. Attachment May City meeting Speech (1).pdf 1 To whom it may concern, and this should concern you. My name is Sarah D'Hondt, and I am a proud Tigard Native and lifetime library patron. The Tigard Library holds a special place in my heart and has been my safe space since I was a child. So when I heard teen library services were being drastically cut, I was deeply disturbed. Now, some of you might consider disturbed too strong a word, but that's what I was. You see, at their core, libraries focus on holistic community support and connection through accessible knowledge and resources for all. Now, let me ask you this: What does it say about the prioritization of knowledge and community if we drastically cut the publicly funded institution tasked with preserving just that? Although it is important to address the current budget shortfalls, library services are bearing the brunt of the cuts. I strongly believe that we can find a solution that more evenly distributes funding reductions. Otherwise, the library will face nearly a 20% reduction to resources. Within the proposed cuts, teen services are set to take a big hit. Yet the library offers essential support to at-risk teens, by providing access to resources such as hygiene essentials aswell as connection to food, housing, and mental health services . I myself was an at-risk teen, and the library provided me with the people and resources I knew I could rely on. It is one of the few remaining free spaces that prioritizes fostering a safe environment that caters to the needs of youth. It brought me comfort and gave me a safe space away from the chaos of my home. This is where I first met Lisa Elliot, Tigards Teen Librarian, who not only became my mentor but my lifelong friend. When my friends self-harmed, faced sexual violence, and fell into substances, I went to Lisa, who provided me with support and resources while I figured out what to do. And even though my childhood was filled with trepidation, I was able to build a life that I loved, thanks in no small part to her. I graduated high school in 2024 with a 4.0 GPA, and was valedictorian of my graduating class. During a painful and confusing gap year, Lisa supported me in pursuing higher education. I am now enrolled at Portland Community College, and have upheld my 4.0 GPA, and I plan to transfer to Portland State in the fall. I hope to attain a degree in community equality and join Portland's dedicated sphere of activists addressing systemic barriers across the city. We need more spaces where teen voices and needs stand front and center, and Lisa has created just that. She truly cares about today's teens, and accepts both who they are and supports them while they discover who they are meant to be. She is dually an amazing person and amazing at her job, and has miraculously created the safe space many teens yearn for so wholeheartedly, something many of her peers have tried and failed to do. It would be a crime and a shame to undercut her efforts and success. The welfare of our youth should never be considered optional, Thank you. Name Lisa Elliott Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Readers Services Comments My name is Lisa Elliott. I work for the Tigard Public Library, but I am submitting this comment as a citizen, not a library representative.After attending the May 4th budget meeting, I feel I must submit this second comment with my original letter attached. I cannot imagine a more clear illustration of the deprioritization of teen voices than what I witnessed at that meeting. Several young community members arrived early,signed in for public comment, and needed to sit in the hallway because the room was not arranged to provide seats for all who wished to be there.Though the City's website indicated they would have three minutes for their comments,they were told they would only have one,and eventually were not allowed to speak at all because Mayor Hu chose to limit comments so the meeting would not run long.This was unjust and frustating treatment for all who signed up to exercise their right to contribute their feedback, but especially for the young people who were engaging with their democracy for the first time.This is another example like those I provided in the attached letter of how Tigard disenfranchises its young citizens. Attachment May 2026 Public Comment.PDF May 4, 2026 Thank you City Councilors and Mayor Hu for taking the time to consider all feedback about this proposed budget. My name is Lisa Elliott and I am a citizen living in nearby Garden Home and an employee at the Tigard Public Library for over 18 years. As such, I have been around for many seasons of scarcity, and I understand the need for proactive fiscal planning and that balancing budgets requires sacrifices. However, where we choose to make cuts tells a story about our priorities, and I want to document a troubling narrative I've seen grow gradually over the years, one that says Tigard teens are not worthy of city resources. In 2018, Tigard's incredible Peer Youth Court was cut when a public safety levy didn't pass. Just this year, this Council decided to eliminate the Youth City Councilor position, so Tigard's teens lost representation and a precious outlet for their important voices. With this proposed budget, the City is choosing to withdraw funding and staff support for both the Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, two annual events created in collaboration with students and the school district. The value of that representation is well beyond a few thousand dollars of savings. When I first began working at the library, there was .3 FTE, other than my own, dedicated to serving teens through the reference desk, programs, and collection development. That time was cut many years ago. The library was once committed to staffing the Teen Reference Desk even when there were staff absences or other conflicts, but now the desk is staffed only a few hours a week because we don't have enough workers available to cover all of our service desks. That leaves the Teen Scene unsupervised, so a dedicated teen space we developed with City Council's enthusiastic support just seven years ago is left without a staff member to keep the space sacred for its intended audience and help teens with readers advisory and research. While services and resources can sometimes be restored when fiscal responsibility leads to more balanced budgets, all of these cuts have been permanent. We know from teen brain research that welcoming third spaces where young people can begin to explore their autonomy is essential for healthy development. We also know that connecting with trusted adults other than their family members helps build teen confidence and leads to lifelong fulfillment. Tigard is a beautiful city, but it lacks community centers that meet the developmental needs of our youth. Other than the library, there are no free, secular, indoor spaces that invite teens to become more independent while offering resources to meet their recreational and informational needs. This proposed budget slashes our funds for materials and further impacts the library's ability to provide a dedicated teen space because of the loss of FTE. I know that difficult budget decisions are often made based on quantitative data. We are big on statistics at the library, but much of what we do for teens is impossible to quantify, including: • Impromptu book discussions to help prep for essay tests • Impromptu book discussions for the simple joy of reading • Being there for teens who can't wait to tell you when they get their dream job or college offer or part in the spring musical • Hours spent assisting with the search for temporary shelter when a teen's home becomes unsafe • Former teens who reach out to say they've just started library school because the library meant that much to them growing up • Messages our young patrons exchange on the Teen Scene white board, encouraging each other to keep going when times get tough • Friendships between homeschoolers and local students who would never have met if not for a library event • Encouragement, snacks, and reminders to take breaks and drink water during finals week • Generations of Teen Library Council members modeling the value of service, joy, literacy and empathy • Countless teens who come out or transition and are able to be their authentic selves in the safety of the library Teens are not only Tigard's future, they are its present. They are living here now, and they are a vibrant and vital part of this community. Let's show them they matter and prioritize their services in this and all future budget cycles. They cannot consent to their sacrifice, and they have given up enough. Again, thank you for your time and attention. Lisa Elliott Sue Garino Mayor and Councilors, I recently watched Monday night's first public budget session and appreciate the thoughtful discussion and questions raised during the presentations. Having observed several of Tigard's more difficult budget cycles, it is clear this is another year where tough decisions cannot be avoided. I especially appreciated the focus on understanding how we arrived at our current position. It appears that a number of "limited duration" positions became ongoing as revenues allowed. While that may have been feasible at the time, it has contributed to a structural imbalance that now needs to be addressed. With next year projected to be similarly constrained, using one-time funds to preserve ongoing programs risks delaying decisions that will ultimately have to be made. In a recent conversation with another resident about the upcoming facilities bond, they said something that resonated: "Tigard acts like it's a rich city, and we're not. We don't have the Nike's and Intel's, nor the residential wealth of Lake Oswego or West Linn, but we try and solve society's problems like we do." As community expectations continue to expand faster than available resources, this gap is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. I strongly support the value of services like the library and community-based programs. However, expecting the City's general fund to carry an ever-expanding scope of services—particularly those that extend beyond core functions—may no longer be realistic. If priorities are not clearly defined, the burden will continue to fall on a limited and already stretched funding base, much of which comes from residential taxpayers. Programs such as Backyard Habitat provide meaningful benefits, and I support their continued presence in Tigard. At the same time, it is reasonable to ask whether ongoing general fund support is the appropriate funding source, or whether partnerships, grants, and private fundraising should play a larger role—similar to how organizations like Just Compassion initially developed. These are difficult but necessary conversations. A disciplined focus on core services and long-term fiscal sustainability will better position Tigard to meet its obligations and maintain public trust in the years ahead. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sue Garino Name Jenny Stoffel Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Dignity of scale and distribution of budget reductions with regard to Tigard Public Library Materials Budget,Travel and Training Budget,and 3.4 full-time equivalent positions. Requirements for maintaining service capacity. Comments Greetings, Budget Committee, I'm submitting additional commentary on the question of dignity—and how it is upheld,or eroded, through the decisions we make about public resources.The library is one of the few places in our community where people can exist and have needs met without transaction.That is not incidental. It is a core function of the library,and it allows people to maintain dignity,especially during hardship.At the same time,the current proposal places a disproportionate share of the City's funding shortfall on the library—approximately 45%.That level of reduction is not neutral. It shifts the burden onto one of the most widely used public services in Tigard,which voters have consistently supported.A 29.2%cut to the Library Materials Budget,along with reduced processing capacity,is not simply a reduction in inventory. It is a reduction in access—to information, learning, representation,and the ability for community members to see themselves reflected in the collection.This includes multilingual materials and the library's ability to respond to the specific needs of the Tigard community,which has a distinct composition within the WCCLS system.When materials become less available or slower to circulate,the burden falls on those who rely on the library as their primary or only point of access.Similarly, reductions to travel and training across all divisions may appear administrative, but they directly affect service quality and responsiveness. Libraries require staff to remain current in technology, literacy practices,and community-informed care. Limiting that development—especially as key support positions face uncertainty—constrains the library's ability to meet people where they are with competence and respect.The additional reduction of 3.4 full-time equivalent positions directly affects access,service quality,and the library's ability to meet the needs of a growing community.The library has demonstrated both its value and its capacity through extensive use,even amid change and uncertainty.Capacity should not become the rationale for absorbing disproportionate cuts;maintaining capacity requires support. If we value dignity and equitable access, we must not place the greatest burden on the institution that provides them most consistently. I urge you to reconsider the scale and distribution of these reductions,and to protect the people and resources that make the library's work possible.Thank you. 1 Greetings, Budget Committee, I'm submitting additional commentary on the question of dignity— and how it is upheld, or eroded, through the decisions we make about public resources. The library is one of the few places in our community where people can exist and have needs for resources met without transaction. That is not incidental. It is a core function of the library, and it is what allows people to maintain dignity, especially during times of hardship. At the same time, the current proposal places a disproportionate share of the City's funding shortfall on the library—approximately 45%. That level of reduction is not neutral. It shifts the burden onto one of the most widely used and relied-upon public services in Tigard, which voters have consistently shown they support. A 29.2% cut to the Library Materials Budget, along with a corresponding decrease to processing capacity, is not simply a reduction in inventory. It is a reduction in access —to information. to learning, to representation, and to the ability for community members to see themselves reflected in the collection. This includes multilingual materials and the library's ability to respond to the specific needs of the Tigard community, which has a distinct composition within the WCCLS system. When materials become less available or slower to circulate, the burden falls on those who rely on the library as their primary or only point of access. Similarly, reductions to travel and training across all divisions may appear administrative, but they directly affect the quality and responsiveness of service. Libraries are dynamic environments, requiring staff to remain current in technology, literacy practices, and community-informed care. Limiting that development- especially as key support positions face uncertainty - constrains the library's ability to meet people where they are, and to do so with competence, care, and respect—all of which are essential to maintaining dignity in service. The additional reduction of 3.4 full-time equivalent positions directly affects access, service quality, and the library's ability to meet the needs of a growing community. The library has demonstrated both its value and its capacity through extensive and growing use, and within change and uncertainty - but not without strain. Capacity should not become the rationale for absorbing disproportionate cuts; maintaining capacity requires adequate support. If we value dignity and equitable access in our community, then we must be careful not to place the greatest burden on the very institution that provides those things most consistently. I urge you to reconsider the scale and distribution of these reductions, and to protect the people and resources that make the library's work possible. Thank you for your time and your consideration. Jenny Stoffel, Vice-Chair of the Tigard Public Library Board. Name Linda Monahan Email Complete Address(Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Budget proposal Comments Mayor,Council and Budget Committee members,I get that cuts have to come from somewhere if expenditures exceed projected revenue. I am most concerned about budget priorities which should be maintaining core services: police, public works,parks and the library.The city says it values transparency and public input. Not so as witnessed at the May 4 budget committee meeting.The Mayor had the audacity to silence members of the public advocating for social services for the homeless and teen services. By asking "do you agree with the previous statement, (apparently in the interest of time to address only new information),this had a chilling effect on citizens who come out to voice opinions. It seems like you have already agreed with the proposed budget instead of listening and considering.Get your priorities straight to serve current citizens instead of chasing any new shiny toy to attract future residents and business. Eliminate recreation unless it can be sustained by fees. Examine how much goes into the money pit of downtown and triangle development which has demonstrated very little return on the investment.We all have to live within our means.Curtail CIP if there isn't the operating funds to maintain a project.The Library serves more citizens and is the most visible service the city has,fund it. Instead of funding a slough of non profits, prioritize social services for the homeless via the library. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Elena Gleason Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Social Services Coordinator Comments I work at the Tigard Public Library but am not representing the City in my comments.As someone who has worked in public libraries for almost 15 years, I know that during hard times, people turn to their local libraries. I personally have fielded dozens of questions from library patrons about where they can find a place to sleep for the night,how to find books on home remedies because they can't access medical care,or who to call for legal assistance after being served with an eviction notice. For most of my career,these have been some of my most frustrating, heartbreaking interactions because at best I've been able to offer a phone number or a website—and often not even that,when information about available resources is outdated or hidden behind layers of bureaucracy. But for the last 18 months,when I and my colleagues have had these interactions with people experiencing some of the worst times of their lives,we've had a better option.We've been able to say, "Can I introduce you to Ryn,our Social Services Coordinator?" During Ryn's time at the library,they have helped people access the city's Safe Parking program,find clothing for their children,see a primary care provider for the first time in years,apply for rental assistance,and so much more.The life-changing impact of having a Social Services Coordinator at the library cannot be overstated,and the services Ryn provides are not things that other library or City staff have the knowledge,time,or resources to accomplish.Our community partners—most of whom are also losing some or even all of their funding as a result of this economic downturn—similarly do not have the capacity to fill this gap. Under this proposed budget,the library will lose 20%of its funding, including funding for the Social Services Coordinator.The cuts to the library represent 43%of the city's total budget reductions despite the fact that the library's budget in the current fiscal year represents just 9%of the city's overall budget. Page 8 of the budget states that a city's budget reflects community values.When I look at this budget, I see a city that,when times are tough,chooses first to hurt those who can least afford the hit.That certainly doesn't reflect my values as a Tigard community member,and I hope it doesn't reflect yours either. I urge the Budget Committee to create a budget that truly reflects Tigard community values and restore funding for the Library Social Services Coordinator.Thank you Attachment 1 Name Ashley B Smith Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Comments Living in the United States in 2026 often leaves me feeling scared and frustrated. I'm grateful that here in Oregon we have been somewhat protected from many of the harmful policies and attitudes affecting other states. I'm proud to live in a place that strives to prioritize people in need,welcome immigrants,and celebrate love and acceptance alongside our LGBTQ+community members. That's why I was so disappointed to read about the proposed disproportionate cuts to our library system. Libraries are vital parts of our community.They help children develop a love of learning,give parents and families a place to connect, provide teens with safe and enriching spaces,and offer seniors important resources and opportunities for engagement. Libraries also give many of our most vulnerable neighbors access to technology, information,and literature that they might not otherwise have. In extreme weather, they even serve as cooling and warming centers for those most at risk. Libraries are not luxuries.They are essential community spaces that support education, safety,connection,and opportunity for people of all ages and income levels. I implore you to reconsider the current budget proposal and pursue a more equitable approach to cuts so our libraries can continue serving the people who rely on them every day. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Nikole Emerson Email Complete Address (Street Name& Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Budget Comments I am writing a public comment to share my grave concerns about the proposed Tigard City budget cuts. I am alarmed that the Tigard Public Library is being asked to cut 19.5%and yet Public Works is only asked to cut 2%and the Police 1%. I understand that all elements of the city's budget are important, but it seems like we could have a more proportional and equitable amount being taken from the various groups.The Tigard Library is facing a$1.9M cut which is nearly 43%of the proposed$4.5M cuts. If passed,the library would lose a critical social services coordinator position and hours would be cut from the teen services librarian.At a time when we are trying to encourage teens to get off their screens and get involved in the world,we need to have places and resources for them to get support and interact within our community.The Tigard Library is such a resource for our teens and other community members. Please support the Tigard Library and its role in the community.We need to encourage and support literacy,critical thinking,and community building,all of which the library does. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Paul Schmidt Email Complete Address (Street Name& Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Importance of fully funding libraries. Comments Knowledge is the essential element to a productive life. It gives one the ability to be productive and learn from the experiences and understanding of others. It also widens our vision so we are exposed to a myriad of ideas. None of the other city services are effective without knowledge. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Holly Campbell-Polivka Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library,social services, community events Comments Please see the attached letter in PDF format. Attachment FY27 budget public comment 5-6-2026.pdf May 6, 2026 To the Tigard Budget Committee: Monday evening at the first Tigard FY27 budget meeting, I shared part of my planned public comment. Despite the website saying that we could have three minutes to speak, it was decided to limit the time and the number of people who could give comment.The rules appeared to be applied arbitrarily, as some people were allowed to go much beyond their allotted minute. I am very disappointed that six teens were turned away, as were several other community members. Here is what I planned to say: Tigard budget makers have proposed a total of 8%cuts to the city budget.The library is being asked to cut 19.5%, Public Works under 2%(though a lot of their money comes from other pools besides the general fund), and Police under 1%. Of the proposed$4.5M cuts,the library is expected to cut $1.9M,which is almost 43%of the total cuts. Police's cuts are just .6%of the total. Not only is this disproportionate, unequal and inequitable, it also goes against what 56%of the voters chose when they passed the Washington County Library levy last fall. In fact,the WCCLS grant money for Tigard is set to increase next year as a result of the passed levy.The social services coordinator's position is on the chopping block as well as hours proposed to be cut from the teen services librarian and an adult librarian.The only other FTE in the city being eliminated are empty positions(2 more at the library, .2 at Community Development, .3 at Courts, 1 supporting Mayor&Council, and 1 at Police). In addition to the uneven cuts to the library, social services and equity-related events have also taken a big hit. Grants for Just Compassion, PDX Diaper Bank and Family Justice Center are not being given this year, but it is planned that the Balloon Festival will be given the same amount as last year. Pride and Juneteenth events are not in the proposed budget even though the two events together cost less than the$23K being given to the Balloon Festival. I ask that the cuts to the city's budget be reviewed and changed to be more proportional.At very least,the social services coordinator,who serves an essential and unique role in the city, should be restored.The entire process has lacked transparency, and the library seems to have taken the fall. And now more I want to say after the meeting: The budget presentation showed that the strategic focus includes"shared responsibility across all departments,"and a key revenue assumption is an increase in library support from Washington County to 5%in FY27 and 2%growth in future years.As evidenced by the disproportionate proposed cuts,the strategic focus and revenue assumption are not reflected in the proposed budget. I was struck by the difference in tone between the three departments'presentations. Police seemed to aim at proving why they need to keep most of their budget. Library asked the committee to reconsider the many losses they face. Parks and Rec focused on their future if they lose anything next year since their proposed FY27 budget is the same as FY26. One councilor inquired about the increase in the library's budget between FY24 and FY26. It should be noted that HR showed a similar increase during that time with a proportionately lesser proposed decrease for FY27.Community Development showed a similar increase with no decrease for FY27. So did Courts. So did Police. None of those were mentioned in his inquiry. Another councilor suggested outsourcing the library social services coordinator's position to Just Compassion (don't forget the City defunded their grant)or looking at possible overlap in job functions with the city/county homelessness liaison who splits her time between Tigard,Tualatin and Sherwood and has completely different job tasks than the library position. I do want to thank the committee for listening to our concerns and considering other options besides what has been put forward with the proposed budget. I felt heard by many of the committee members. Though I have worked at the library for 18 years,these thoughts are my own,and my words do not represent the city or the library. Sincerely, Holly Campbell-Polivka Tigard, Oregon Name Heather Jacks Email Complete Address (Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? FY27 Comments The proposed cuts disproportionately affect libraries,with 43%of cuts coming from the library alone.Our libraries are vital to our communities and need to be funded now more than ever. Please consider a budget with cuts more equitably distributed. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Brooke Schmidt Email Complete Address(Street Name & Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? support of library Comments I would like to add my concern about the library budget being cut by such drastic amounts. Please rethink some of the proposed measures and look more carefully at the equity of all the services that will be cut.The library should not take the brunt of the proposed cuts. Attachment Thank you, City of Tigard Name Jessica Fredrickson Email Complete Address (Street Name& Number, City, Zip Code) Which budget item are you commenting on? Library Budget Comments Please see attached for the full three-minute public comment I was unable to share at the 05/04 Budget Committee. Attachment 5-4-26 Fredrickson Public Comment.pdf Good evening, members of the Budget Committee. My name is Jessica Fredrickson. Though work at Tigard Public Library, I am speaking for myself tonight as a lifetime library lover and longtime library worker, not a representative of the city. I want to start by thanking city leadership for the difficult work they've done with next fiscal year's challenging budget deficit. I'm here tonight to ask that the Committee continue that hard work and revisit some of those hard decisions, which the library director will share in detail later. I have worked in public libraries for more than a decade. I've done many hard things over those years. I've helped patrons find books when all they can remember is the color of the cover. I've taught seniors how to download free e-books on the brand new kindles they got from their kids for Christmas. I've connected long lost family members across the country through genealogy research. But the hardest information questions I get sound like this: "I've been laid off. I was on hold with the unemployment office for hours. They told me to apply online. I don't have a computer. Can you help me?' And, "My maternity leave is ending. I need to go back to work, but I can't find childcare. Can you help me?" Or, "My husband hits me sometimes. It's fine, but I'm scared he'll hit the baby. Where can we go? Can you help us?" These questions come from both frequent library users and first time patrons, because the library is a social safety net and trusted resource for everyone. The proposed budget language suggests that social services is not a core library service. As a library worker who receives weekly if not daily information requests related to finding food, shelter and other social services topics, I disagree. Cutting our library connection to social services will have a significant impact on not just community members, but also staff supported by the library's Social Services Coordinator through training and trauma-informed care. Some say libraries are irrelevant. The door counter at the library, which registers well over 200,000 people coming through each year. says something different. Some say books and libraries are nice to have, but not essential when money is tight. In a country where more than half of adults read below a 6th grade reading level, and in a community where less than half of our TTSD students score proficient on the statewide English Language Arts Assessment. the library and the resources within are more essential than ever. And so I humbly ask the Budget Committee to reconsider the priorities presented in the proposed budget. I ask the Committee to find a financial way forward that aligns with Tigard voter values, 57% of whom just voted to support a library levy to maintain library services - a levy that will not even come close to offsetting these proposed reductions. I ask the Committee to find a financial way forward that does not make the library a less safe and welcoming space by eliminating 3 positions from the library's internal Person in Charge de-escalation team, of which the Social Services Coordinator is a key member. I ask the Committee to find a financial way forward that lives up to our first and foremost community promise of equity, and to find a solution that doesn't disproportionately place the burden most on members of our community with the least. Thank you for your time.