Baker City Proposes Cutting Public Safety Fee in Half

City staff recommends reducing residential fee from $10 to $5 per month, and commercial fee from $20 to $10 per month.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:05pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a single street lamp post on an empty city street, the post bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the role of public safety infrastructure in a small town.The proposed reduction in Baker City's public safety fee signals a shift in the town's financial landscape, with increased revenue allowing for a lighter burden on residents.Baker City Today

The Baker City staff is recommending the city council halve the public safety fee, which the city has charged since June 1, 2024, from $10 per month to $5 for residential customers and from $20 to $10 for commercial customers. The council will consider the proposal as part of an annual fee resolution during their meeting on April 14.

Why it matters

The public safety fee was implemented in 2024 to avoid potential layoffs in the police and fire departments. However, the city has seen increased revenue from property taxes, franchise fees, and the lodging tax, allowing them to justify a decrease in the public safety fee.

The details

The city staff report states that the revenue from property taxes, franchise fees, and the lodging tax 'have brought in sufficient revenue to justify a decrease' in the public safety fee. Franchise fees from all utilities, including internet providers, total about $977,000 per year, with the largest fee coming from Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at around $600,000. The city also started collecting the 7% lodging tax directly from businesses within the city limits starting in July 2025.

  • The public safety fee was implemented on June 1, 2024.
  • The city council will consider the proposal to reduce the fee during their meeting on April 14, 2026.

The players

Baker City

The local government of Baker City, Oregon, which is proposing to reduce the public safety fee.

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative

The largest utility provider in Baker City, paying around $600,000 per year in franchise fees to the city.

Cascade Natural Gas

A utility provider in Baker City, paying around $210,000 per year in franchise fees to the city.

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What’s next

The Baker City Council will consider the proposal to reduce the public safety fee during their meeting on April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The decrease in the public safety fee is a result of Baker City's improved financial situation, with increased revenue from property taxes, franchise fees, and the lodging tax. This demonstrates the city's ability to adjust fees based on changing economic conditions and prioritize public safety funding.