Setting an annual budget is one of city government’s most important roles. The City of Hermiston develops a July-June budget each year intended to reflect our community’s priorities and provide funding for everyday services.



Because the budget can be a complex document, I want to provide some context about how it is developed and highlight some of the key decisions included in the proposed 2026-27 budget.

The entire process is guided by the goals established by the City Council and staff during the annual January goal-setting session. Those priorities help shape funding decisions as we work to balance community needs, ongoing operations, and changing costs.

The proposed budget was reviewed by the Budget Committee and recommended for approval on May 14. The Hermiston City Council will consider adopting the budget on June 8. If you would like to review the complete proposed budget, it is available on the City of Hermiston website.

As with many organizations, the rising costs continue to pose a challenge to the City's finances. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution rates increased by 2.16%, property and liability insurance costs increased approximately 4%, and health insurance rates are expected to increase by nearly 27% midway through the fiscal year.

Even with those growing costs, the proposed budget is $123,137,736, about 4% less than 2025-26. Much of that decrease is the result of completing major capital projects such as the Public Library and Public Safety Center, as well as the completion of one-time transfers used to establish the Building Department Fund during the current fiscal year.

The budget also includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all City employees and funding for a new longevity pay benefit that recognizes the dedication and service of long-tenured employees.

You can watch the budget committee meeting, review the document, and attend the June 8 City Council meeting if you’d like to make a comment.

Byron Smith,

Hermiston City Manager

Road Work Begins Soon on Geer/Harper Intersection

The intersection of Northwest Geer Road, West Harper Road, North 1st Place, and the Union Pacific railroad will get a much-needed realignment this summer to improve access and safety. 


The intersection will be closed beginning Monday, June 22, and traffic along N. 1st Place will also be impacted. The full project includes adding turn lanes, stop signs, sidewalks, crosswalks, and resurfacing the roadway.

Access between Geer and Harper will be maintained through a detour on NW 6th street, as will access to the recycling center at the intersection.

Normal traffic flow on Geer and Harper is expected to resume by October, but the rail crossing may remain closed until Spring 2027.

The project is part of the City of Hermiston's Capital Improvement Plan, a five-year roadmap for Hermiston’s street, water and wastewater projects. Projects are selected because they require significant capital investment and are critical to safeguarding the financial health of the city and protecting or enhancing resident access to utilities.

Curbside Recycling Carts Coming in June

Curbside recycling is coming to Hermiston this summer. Sanitary Disposal is currently targeting cart delivery to begin hitting the curb the week of June 21, 2026 with a planned service start date of July 6, 2026.

The cart delivery company will be providing customers with:

• Their recycling cart
• A service calendar showing pickup day and week
• Recycling education materials

Recyclable material will be picked up every other week. Follow the link below for a full guide on how the service works.

May Primary Election Results

The votes have been counted, and the unofficial results are in for the May primary election. Every Hermiston ballot included two non-partisan City Council candidates in each of the four city wards and one candidate for Municipal Judge. As of the last report after election day, 2,497 votes were cast by Hermiston’s 11,229 voters for a total turnout of 22%.

Ward 1:

Krista Van Veen - 1,323 (62.4%)

Jackie Linton (i) - 788 (37.2%)

Ward 2:

Roy Barron (i) - 1,476 (73%)

Caleb Jacobs - 536 (26.5%)

Ward 3:

Barbara Martin - 1,110 (64.1%)

Leeann Wornell - 600 (35%)

Ward 4:

David Patrick McCarthy (i) - 1,260 (70.1%)

Manuel Flores III - 531 (29.6%)

Municipal Judge:

Cameron R. Bendixsen (i) - 1,739 (98.6%)

The results will be certified by the Umatilla County Elections Department and accepted by the Hermiston City Council in June. Four-year terms for newly elected councilors will begin in January 2027.

Student-Built Bridge Installed at Belt Park

Students from the Hermiston High School metals shop cut the ribbon June 2 on a new bridge at Belt Park they designed and constructed.

The bridge crossing the park's canal replaces a wooden bridge constructed 13 years ago by Abe Wright as an Eagle Scout project. Wright and his family were on hand to celebrate the new bridge.

Students Zeb, Michael, Rayshawn and Chase worked with teacher Kelly Robison to create two designs, and the Parks Committee selected and commissioned the option with a hexagonal design.

Housing Code Changes in the Works

Hermiston has started updating its development code to comply with new Oregon housing laws meant to address the ongoing housing shortage.

These laws require cities and counties to allow a wider variety of housing types and reduce barriers to residential development. The goal is to make it easier and faster to build housing options such as middle housing (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters), accessory dwelling units, and single-room occupancies, particularly in areas that have traditionally been limited to single-family homes.

To meet these requirements, the City of Hermiston is updating the Hermiston Municipal Code and potentially portions of the Comprehensive Plan to allow additional housing types, revise development standards, and modernize review procedures for residential development applications. These updates will ensure the City's regulations align with state law while supporting future housing opportunities in the community.

New Reader at the Library

The bronze statue, Just One More Chapter, by Gary Lee Price was unveiled at the Hermiston Public Library on May 8. The artwork joins other pieces from local artists inside the newly renovated library.

Other News

• The City of Hermiston received a $30,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation to help complete the funding of the Agape House storage project. This funding is on top of a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant. (City Website)
  
• Hermiston Library Director Mark Rose will retire this summer, and reflects on his 35-year career in libraries. (Hermiston Herald)
  
• The Umatilla County Housing Authority broke ground on Liberty Village, a housing development focused on supporting homeless veterans, at 588 East Newport Ave. in Hermiston was held May 21. (Northeast Oregon Now)

City Council Sends Charter Amendments to Voters

The Hermiston City Council approved a package of proposed City Charter updates for placement on the November ballot. The recommendations, developed by a citizen Charter Review Committee, aim to modernize city governance and align local practices with current and projected needs.

Proposed changes include updating how ward boundaries are established, changing the selection process for the municipal court judge, clarifying city manager responsibilities, requiring a charter review at least every 10 years, and updating charter language.

City Council Meeting for May 26 (Watch the meeting)

• Affirmed a decision of the Planning Commission to approve a preliminary plat for Phase 4 of a housing subdivision at S.E. 10th Street and E. Highland Avenue. The Hermiston Irrigation District appealed the decision and a public hearing was held. (Read the staff report)
• Rejected a recommendation to rename E. Airport Road after hearing public testimony at the May 11 meeting. (Read the staff report)
• Adjusted the Master Fee Schedule to increase the garbage rate by 3.5%, the first increase since March 2024. Sanitary Disposal requested a rate increase of 5%, but the city has offered to reduce its garbage revenue collection from billing and franchise fees by 1.5% to make up the difference. (Read the staff report)
• Confirmed the appointment of Kyleen Kosirog to the Budget Committee and David Korb to the Airport Advisory Committee.
• Recommended the appointment of Ann Minton to the Budget Committee.
• Accepted the transaction of 0.557 acres of land for future expansion of East Jennie Avenue for $35,000.
• Received the April financial report (Read the report)

City Council Meeting for May 11 (Watch the meeting)

• Amended the City Sewer Code to create an Industrial Pretreatment Program and clarify the fines and fees for Fats, Oils and Greases program. (Read the staff report)
• Awarded a contract to Bolen Construction to improve the roadway at Northwest 2nd Street and West Dogwood Ave. (Read the staff report)
• Awarded a contract to C&E Trenching to replace the deteriorating water line on Orchard Avenue (Read the staff report)
• Received a report from the Hermiston Aquatic Wellness Center Task Force, including potential locations and costs for a new recreation facility. (Watch the presentation)
• Directed city staff to prepare a resolution to retain the name of Airport Road. (Read the staff report)
• Approved an IT contract with Stepping Stones Alliance. (Read the staff report)
• Received the Quarterly Investment Report.
• Proclaimed May 11-17 as National Police Week.
• Approved a liquor license application for One Stop Mart #18.
• Heard presentations from the the Hermiston Museum and Hermiston Amateur Radio Club on future use of the Carnegie Building.

JUNE 2026 MEETINGS

• Airport Advisory Committee, Wednesday, June 3, 4 p.m., Hermiston Municipal Airport
• City Council, Monday, June 8, 7 p.m., City Hall
• Recreation Projects Fun Advisory Committee, Tuesday, June 9, 3 p.m., Hermiston Community Center
• Planning Commission, Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m., City Hall
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Thursday, June 11, 5:30 p.m., Hermiston Community Center
• EOTEC Advisory Committee, Thursday, June 18, 5:30 p.m., Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center
• City Council, Monday, June 22, 7 p.m., City Hall

The City of Hermiston is currently seeking members for the Budget, EOTEC Advisory, and Hispanic Advisory committees, and the Library Board . Learn more and apply to join.

Swim Season is Here

The Hermiston Family Aquatic Center opens June 13, and splash passes go on sale this week! Group passes are now available for up to 14 people with discounted rates. All splash passes must be purchased in person.

The Splash Pad at Butte Park is also open 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. through the summer.

Job Openings


• Library Director
• Senior Financial Analyst
• Seasonal Recreation/Aquatic Center Positions
• Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

Open Burning Closed Within UCFD#1 Service Area

Effective June 1, 2026, open burning within the service area of Umatilla County Fire District #1 will be prohibited through October 1, 2026.

This closure is in effect regardless of Umatilla County Smoke Management or Agricultural Field Burning burn day designations, recorded burn information messages, or burn allowances listed on the Umatilla County website.



UCFD#1 has already responded to multiple brush and wildfire incidents across the region this season. As temperatures rise and vegetation continues to dry out, fire conditions are expected to worsen throughout the summer months.