Council adopts $223.1 million FY2027 budget, removes drone funding
Salem City Council adopts $223.1 million operating budget after removing drone funding. Council President Alice Rose Merkl and eight other councillors voted to eliminate $41,667 in police drone technology appropriations amid resident concerns, though a motion to cut $200,000 for Pioneer Village
City Council · Meeting of June 11, 2026
Salem City Council adopts $223.1 million operating budget after removing drone funding. Council President Alice Rose Merkl and eight other councillors voted to eliminate $41,667 in police drone technology appropriations amid resident concerns, though a motion to cut $200,000 for Pioneer Village relocation failed on a 5-5 tie. The budget includes $7.8 million in general fund capital bonding, $7.6 million for water and sewer projects, and $1.2 million for community preservation initiatives.
Council also voted to consolidate July and August meetings into one session on July 9, and advanced a ranked choice voting home rule petition to the state legislature.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 550 words
Source: the City Council meeting of June 11, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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