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City of Gold Beach

29592 Ellensburg Avenue ● Gold Beach, OR 97444

Administration: 541-247-7029 ● Police: 541-247-6671 ● www.goldbeachoregon.gov

Visitor Center: 541-247-7526 ● www.visitgoldbeach.com

Celebrating 75 years 1945-2020

The City of Gold Beach is dedicated to enhancing quality of life, while promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our

citizens, businesses, and visitors in the most fiscally responsible manner. In doing this, the City will respect the past,

respond to current concerns, and plan for the future, while maintaining environmental sensitivity in our beach

oriented community.

CANDIDATES

HANDBOOK

November 2020 Election

Council Positions: #2, #4, & Mayor

General Election

November 3, 2020

2020 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

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The City of Gold Beach is dedicated to enhancing quality of life, while promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our

citizens, businesses, and visitors in the most fiscally responsible manner. In doing this, the City will respect the past,

respond to current concerns, and plan for the future, while maintaining environmental sensitivity in our beach

oriented community.

This Candidates Information Packet is an effort to assist candidates with the election

process and should not be viewed as legal advice. Please contact the City

Administrator if you have questions regarding the elections process.

The City of Gold Beach reserves the right to change, and/or add to, material

contained in this Informational Packet as updated information or revised forms

become available from the State Elections Division.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to confirm deadlines with the City Elections

Officer, in advance of those deadlines. Some deadlines may be adjusted due to

changes made by the legislature that were not available for this informational

packet at the time of printing.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CITY ELECTIONS

By charter, the Gold Beach City Council is composed of an elected mayor and five

elected at-large councilors. Election of the officers coincides with state General

Elections and terms are staggered – two council positions and the mayor are elected

during one race, and three council positions are elected in the next. The council

positions are consecutively numbered Position 1 through 5.

The positions for the November 2020 General Election are: Council positions #2, #4,

& Mayor. The terms begin on December 15, 2020.

HOW TO FILE FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE

To file for the 2020 General Election: candidates may file in one of two ways:

To file by paying the filing fee: Complete Form SEL 101 (in this packet) and

return to the City Business Office along with the required filing fee of $50.

To file by Petition: Complete Form SEL 101 (in this packet) and file at least two

(2) full Candidate Signature Sheets.

 PLEASE NOTE: After completing Form SEL 101 return it the City Business

Office to be issued the OFFICIAL petition form from the City Elections

Official—the one contained in this packet is an example only. At least

TWELVE (12) valid signatures must be obtained but we recommend

2020 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

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The City of Gold Beach is dedicated to enhancing quality of life, while promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our

citizens, businesses, and visitors in the most fiscally responsible manner. In doing this, the City will respect the past,

respond to current concerns, and plan for the future, while maintaining environmental sensitivity in our beach

oriented community.

getting at least TWENTY (20) in case some signatures are not valid or

the person is not a registered voter—those signatures are disqualified

by the County Elections Office.

 Signatures MUST be electors within the city limits—they must be legally

registered voters within the City of Gold Beach.

The deadline to file a completed Candidate Filing Form SEL 101—along with the

filing fee or signatures—is August 25

, 2020. If you plan to file by petition we

recommend having your completed forms returned by Tuesday, August 18

ensure adequate signature verification time.

City elections are non-partisan and all other general election laws of the state of

Oregon govern. Candidates must be qualified to vote within the meaning of the

state constitution, the City Charter, and City Code.

Candidates must be a RESIDENT of the City of Gold Beach, as defined by City Code

below, for a minimum of one year immediately preceding the election.

1.025 Residency.

1. An individual is a “Resident” of the City of Gold Beach for the purposes of

serving on a City Commission or Committee, or to be eligible for an elective

city office as referenced in Chapter III, Section 12 of the Gold Beach Charter

if:

a) The individual resides within the city limits of Gold Beach and makes the

City of Gold Beach a fixed and permanent home; and

b) Gold Beach is listed as the individual’s residence address for federal

income tax purposes; and

c) If the individual is a property owner within the City of Gold Beach, the

records of the Curry County Tax Assessor list Gold Beach as the

individual’s mailing address; and

d) Gold Beach is listed as the individual’s residence address on their valid

Oregon driver’s license or state issued identification card; and

e) The individual is an elector as defined by Section 12 of the Gold Beach

Charter.

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The City of Gold Beach is dedicated to enhancing quality of life, while promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our

citizens, businesses, and visitors in the most fiscally responsible manner. In doing this, the City will respect the past,

respond to current concerns, and plan for the future, while maintaining environmental sensitivity in our beach

oriented community.

2. The City Administrator shall make the initial determination as to whether an individual qualifies as a

“resident” under this Section 1.025. The City Administrator’s determination may be appealed

pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section 1.025.

3. A person aggrieved by a residency determination by the City Administrator may appeal that

determination to the City Council by filing a written request with the City Administrator within five

(5) calendar days of the City Administrator’s written decision. The City Administrator shall

immediately notify the Council and the Mayor of the appeal request, and shall schedule a date for

an appeal hearing as soon as practicable, but in no case later than twenty-one (21) calendar days

from the date of the City Administrator’s receipt of the appeal request. Prior to the appeal hearing,

the City Administrator shall transmit the appeal request together with the City Administrator’s

written determination and any facts, data, or exhibits that were part of said determination to the

Council, the Mayor, and the appellant. At the hearing, the appellant will have the opportunity to

present information to show that the appellant does meet the definition of “resident” in this

Section 1.025. The City Council may uphold or overturn the City Administrator’s determination. All

decisions of the City Council pursuant to this Section 1.025(3) are final and binding.

OTHER INFORMATION

Political signs do not require a sign permit or fee but must be removed within ten

(10) days following the final election for which they were intended.

If you have any questions please contact Jodi Fritts, City Administrator/Elections

Official: jfritts@goldbeachoregon.gov

This packet contains the following:

 Candidate Filing Form SEL 101

 Sample Candidate Signature Sheet Form SEL 121

 League of Oregon Cities booklet: So You Want To Run For Local Office

2020 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

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Continued on page 2 of this form

Candidate Filing

SEL 101

Major Political Party or Nonpartisan

rev 01/20

ORS 249.031

Filing Dates

Candidate Filing

Candidate Withdrawal

Primary Election

First Day to File

September 12, 2019

May 19, 2020

Last Day to File

March 10, 2020

March 13, 2020

General Election

First Day to File

June 3, 2020

November 3, 2020

Last Day to File

August 25, 2020

August 28, 2020

Filing Information

This filing is an

Original

Amendment

Office Information

Filing for Office of:

District, Position or County:

Party Affiliation:

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Nonpartisan

Incumbent Judge (for judicial candidates only):

Yes

Nondisclosure on file

Filing Method

Fee

Office

Filing Fee

Office

Filing Fee

United States President

n/a

District Attorney

$50

United States Vice President

n/a

County Judge

$50

United States Senator

$150

MSD Executive Officer, MAD Director

$100

United States Representative

$100

MSD Councilor

$25

Statewide Offices

$100

County Office

$50

State senator or Representative

$25

City Office

Set by charter or ordinance

Circuit Court Judge

$50

Justice of the Peace

n/a

Prospective Petition, in lieu of filing fee

Some circulators may be paid

Yes

Candidate Information

Name of Candidate

First

Last

Suffix

Title

How you would like your name to appear on the ballot

Candidate Residence / Route Address

Street Address

City

State

Zip

County

Candidate Mailing Address and Contact Information Only one phone number and an email is required.

Street Address or PO Box

City

State

Zip

Work Phone

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Fax

Email Address

Web Site, if applicable

Race and Ethnicity Optional

2020 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

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CIRCLE ONE: City Councilor (chose which Position: #2 OR #4) OR MAYOR

City of Gold Beach

■

For Office User Only

Initials

Batch Sheet/CC Approval Code/ Receipt Number

Occupation (present employment)

If not employed, enter “Not Employed”.

Occupational Background (previous employment) If no relevant experience, None or NA must be entered.

Educational Background (schools attended)

Complete name of School

Last Grade completed

Diploma/Degree/Certificate

Course of Study

Educational Background (other) Attach a separate sheet if necessary.

Prior Governmental Experience (elected or appointed) If no relevant experience, None or NA must be entered.

Campaign Finance Information

Not applicable to candidates for federal office.

A candidate must file a Statement of Organization not later than three business days of first receiving a contribution or making an expenditure and no

later than the deadline for filing a nominating petition, declaration of candidacy, or certificate of nomination, whichever occurs first, unless they

meet the criteria

for an exemption. To meet the criteria, the candidate must serve as their own treasurer, not have an existing candidate committee,

and not expect to spend or receive more tha

n $750 during the entire calendar year (including in-kind contributions and personal funds).

If you have an existing ca

ndidate committee you must amend the statement of organization not later than 10 days after a change in information. This

includes changes to the election you are active in and the office you are running for.

See the Campaign Finance Manual for the procedural and legal requirements of establishing and maintaining a candidate committee.

Candidate Attestation

By signing this document, I hereby state that:

 I will accept the nomination for the office indicated above;

 I will qualify for said office if elected;

 All information provided by me on this form is true to the best of my knowledge; and

 No circulators will be compensated based on the number of signatures obtained by the circulator on a prospective petition

For Major Political Party Candidates

 if not nominated, I will not accept the nomination or endorsement of any political party other than the one named

 I have been a member of said political party, subject to the exceptions stated in ORS 249.046, for at least 180 days before the deadline for filing a

nominating petition or declaration of candidacy (ORS 249.031). Does not apply to candidates filing for the office of US President.

Warning

Supplying false information on this form may result in conviction of a felony with a fine of up to $125,000 and/or prison for up to 5 years.

(ORS 260.715). A person may only file for one lucrative office or not more than one precinct committee person at the same election. Unless

the person has withdrawn from the first filing, all filings are invalid. (ORS 249.013 and ORS 249.170)

Candidate Signature Date

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 1

So, You Want

to Run for

Local Office…

A Guide for Prospective

City Elected Officials

Updated April 2020

2020 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 2

This guide is primarily intended for candidates for city council. It serves as a reference and

deals with a variety of important topics. This guide is meant to serve as an orientation for those

who wish to assume a leadership role at the local level. The guide will outline:

• How to file for elective office;

• What to expect once elected;

• Roles and responsibilities;

• The sources of local government law;

• Communications;

• Visioning and goal setting; and

• Resources.

This guide is not a substitute for legal advice. Candidates are encouraged to speak with their

privately retained attorneys for specific legal advice.

So, You Want to Run for

Local Office…

A Guide for Prospective

City Elected Officials

What every person interested in becoming an elected official

should know about roles, responsibilities, and representing their

community and city government.

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 3

Table of Contents

Welcome Message from the LOC President ............................................................................................. 4

Filing for Elective Office .......................................................................................................................... 5

What to Expect .......................................................................................................................................... 5

Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................ 6

Policy Role ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Administrative Role .............................................................................................................................. 6

The Mayor ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Quasi-Judicial Role ............................................................................................................................... 7

Council as “One Voice” and Balance ................................................................................................... 7

Intergovernmental Relations ................................................................................................................. 7

Sources of Law ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Home Rule and Limitations of Power ................................................................................................... 7

Government Ethics ................................................................................................................................ 8

Public Meetings Law ............................................................................................................................ 8

Public Records Law .............................................................................................................................. 9

Budget and Finance ............................................................................................................................... 9

Liabilities .............................................................................................................................................. 9

Communications – The Key to Success .................................................................................................. 10

Elected Officials and the Public Spotlight .......................................................................................... 10

Representing the Public ...................................................................................................................... 10

Community Visioning and Goal Setting ................................................................................................. 11

Visioning: Sustaining Quality of Life ................................................................................................. 11

Setting City Goals ............................................................................................................................... 11

About the League of Oregon Cities ........................................................................................................ 11

Resources and Recommended Reading .................................................................................................. 12

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 4

Welcome Message from the 2020 LOC President

Welcome to the club! The number of people willing to run for elected local office is pretty small, and for

good reason: it’s not an easy job if you want to do it right. If you’re just looking for a fancy title and all-

expenses-paid junket to exotic locations, you’re going to have a rough time of it, and you won’t have much

fun. But if you’re looking for a way to use your knowledge, experience and wisdom to help make your

community a better, more functional place, you may find that lending your hand to local government is

one of the most rewarding endeavors you’ve ever undertaken.

If you haven’t already gotten your feet wet by volunteering for your local planning commission, budget

committee, or other municipal body, you should seriously consider doing so before you declare a

candidacy. Having some experience doing “city stuff” is a good way to get a better idea about what you’re

likely to spend your time doing as a city councilor or mayor, and will better prepare you to answer the

sorts of questions you’re likely to get as a candidate.

If you haven’t already started attending city council meetings, start doing so now. You’re going to want to

become as familiar as possible with both the issues in your city and the way the council conducts business

before you’re up there on the dais. If you’re running because there’s a single burning issue that’s

compelled you to run, remember that there are hundreds of other issues you’re going to have to wrestle

with during your term of office. If you want to do a good job, you’ll want to know what those are, and

tackle them with just as much energy and honest consideration as you would your pet issue.

Remember that your opponents (and your eventual fellow council members) are people too. Assume the

best of them—that they’re also running for office because of a genuine desire to help your community.

The people you’re meeting in this process tend to be good folks who remain involved with civic matters,

so they’re just not going to go away after the election (in fact, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself working

with them in the not-so-distant future). So, feel free to explain why you disagree with their proposed

policies, but resist any temptation to sling mud. Taking the high road is not only the right choice ethically,

it’s also likely to pay dividends later.

Once you’ve won the election and you’re seated on the council, the work isn’t over. Instead, that’s when it

begins in earnest, and the learning curve can be pretty steep. Luckily, the League of Oregon Cities has

some fantastic training opportunities to help you be the best elected official you can be. Please don’t

hesitate to reach out, and we’ll do our best to help you help your city.

– 2020 LOC President Jake Boone, Councilor, Cottage Grove

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 5

Filing for Elective Office

Qualifications for various city offices differ. Before filing for

candidacy, review the city charter and statutory requirements of the

office for which you plan to declare your candidacy. Requirements

for filing for city office are found under Oregon Revised Statutes

(ORS) Chapters 221 and 249. The forms that you will need are

available from the city’s elections official and the Oregon Secretary

of State’s Office, Elections Division.

Every candidate and prospective candidate are required to establish a

principal campaign committee within three business days of receiving

or spending any money to support the candidacy. This includes

expenditures of personal funds by the candidate. It also includes

payment of the filing fee if the candidate files by declaration, any

costs relating to circulating a nominating petition, or any voters’

pamphlet costs.

For more information on campaign finance reporting

requirements please see the Secretary of State Elections Division

Candidate Finance Reporting in Oregon Candidate “Quick Guide”

available at:

https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/candidatequickguide.pdf

What to Expect

As a local elected official, you will have the opportunity to shape

policy governing the future of your city. In addition to serving as a

community leader, being a model of civility and cooperation, an

educator and interpreter of public opinion – the role of an elected

official will change the way you are viewed in your community.

You’ll rarely stop by the neighborhood coffee shop without someone

complaining about roads or taxes. You may be cornered anywhere,

at any time, on anything. Local elected leaders are in direct contact

on a daily basis with the people they represent.

You will spend a lot of time attending meetings – not only city

council meetings – but regional and statewide meetings as well. You

will spend time preparing for meetings, reading any preparatory

material in order to make informed decisions in the course of all

meetings.

If elected, you will utilize the skills you already have, skills you

never knew you had, and skills you wished you had. You may be

called upon to facilitate meetings, speak to the press, respond to

angry and sometimes hostile citizens, testify before legislative

committees,

and negotiate with contractors, bankers and engineers.

You will make decisions on everything from who to hire as the next

city manager, which bid to accept for paving the roads, how to pay

for solid waste disposal, to joining with neighboring cities in a

regional approach to providing dispatch services.

SPOTLIGHT:

Basic City Services

The services provided by cities vary

from community to community.

However, some typical services include:

Public Safety – police, fire, and

sometimes ambulance service

Utilities – water and sewer, trash

collection, electricity, and natural gas

Land Use – planning, zoning, code

enforcement, and other regulatory

activities

Transportation – street construction

and maintenance, traffic safety, and

sometimes public transit

Recreation and Cultural – parks,

recreation, libraries, and sometimes

cultural facilities

Legal – ordinances protecting the public

health, safety and welfare of the

community

SPOTLIGHT:

Policy Process Steps

1. Identification of problems or needs

2. Establishment of community goals

3. Determine objectives

4. Development/analysis of alternative

solutions (including short-term and

long-term implications)

5. Establishment of priorities

6. Development of programs and

strategies

7. Implementation of programs and

strategies

8. Monitoring and evaluation of

programs or strategies

9. Feedback

10. Program or strategy improvement

and modification

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 6

Roles and Responsibilities

The specific roles and responsibilities of members of city leadership will vary from community to

community. Each position plays a vital role in the governance of the city. The council serves as the city’s

legislative body by adopting a budget and adopting local laws – called ordinances – and regulations.

Policy Role

The council is the highest authority within city government in deciding issues of policy. For a council to

effectively assume a positive and active role in bringing issues forward for discussion in setting policy,

councilors need a clear understanding of policy process and the stages at which council intervention is

most effective.

Administrative Role

The council, as a collective body, is responsible for the oversight of

administration in every city, but the roles that the mayor and individual

councilors play in city administration vary considerably, depending on

city size and form of government.

Typically, the only city staff

overseen by the council is the city’s chief

executive and potentially a

handful of department heads.

Council/Manager Form – The majority of Oregon cities follow this

structure where the council is comprised of volunteers who decide the

policy for the city, which is overseen by a paid city manager who

serves as the chief executive. Approximately 55% of cities nationwide

utilize this form of government, and it is most popular in the Southeast

and Pacific

Coast regions.

Strong Mayor Form – The only city in Oregon with a strong mayor

structure is the city of Beaverton. Under this form of government, the

mayor is elected but also serves as the city’s chief executive.

Approximately 34% of cities nationwide utilize this form of

government and it is most popular in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest

regions.

Commission Form – The city of Portland is the state’s only true

commission form of government. In this form, elected commissioners

serve as the administrative head of selected city departments as

assigned by the mayor. While the commission is the oldest form of

local government in the country, only 1% of cities nationwide utilize a

commission form of government.

The Mayor

The mayor’s role varies from city to city, depending on charter

requirements. The mayor serves as the public face of the community

by representing the city at community events or government functions.

The mayor also serves as the spokesperson for the council. During

council meetings, the mayor typically serves as the presiding officer

and sets the agenda for meetings. Often, the mayor appoints

individuals to committees and work groups and signs ordinances and

SPOTLIGHT:

Council-Manager Form of

Government

The chief characteristic of the council-

manager form of government is that

the council appoints a qualified

professional person as city manager

or administrator to take charge of the

daily supervision of city affairs. The

manager or administrator serves at the

pleasure of the council – the council

sets policy and the manager carries

out that policy. While an absolute

separation between policy and admin-

istration does not really exist, the

council-manager form works best

when the council exercises its respon-

sibility for policy leadership and re-

spects the manager’s leadership role

and responsibility for administra

tion.

Council-manager charters commonly

include specific provisions that prohibit

individual councilors from giving

orders to city employees and from

attempting to influence or coerce the

manager with respect to appoint-

ments, purchasing, or other matters.

However, the charters do not prohibit,

and may affirmatively provide for the

council to discuss administrative

matters with the manager in open

meetings.

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 7

resolutions on behalf of the council. Most importantly, the mayor serves as the chief facilitator between

the city manager and the city council.

Quasi-Judicial Role

Council members may act in a quasi-judicial capacity when sitting on land use hearings and other type of

appeals. When acting in a quasi-judicial role, the council is acting like a court of a judge – it is applying

the law to a set of specific facts.

Council as “One Voice” and Balance

The council acts as a centralized body with one voice and not as individuals. While individual council

members may make motions, the motion is only passed when a majority of the council votes in favor of its

passage. Newly elected and veteran elected officials may find this structure challenging as it may be

difficult to pass policy based on individual platforms.

The single most difficult job of a city council is to balance diverse interests with common interests. A

councilor may react to groups in isolation without considering the larger consequence of their actions. It is

important to recognize and consider citizen input, but it is equally important to develop perspective. A

council can seldom do everything that everyone wants.

Intergovernmental Relations

Beyond the myriad of issues that are specific to city government, city officials will quickly find that they

play a pivotal role in the intergovernmental arena with other cities, county government, special districts

and public schools, as well as regional, state and federal governments. Understanding these relationships

and their impact on a city government’s ability to provide responsible, efficient and effective governance

and delivery of services is important, particularly when funding and staffing resources are limited.

Exploring new and innovative ways of funding and providing public services is one of the challenging

issues facing elected officials.

It is important to recognize that the reasons you are running for office will become part of a “full plate” of

issues – many of which you are not yet familiar. Because of the urgency and the complexity of these

issues, governments must work together to address them. Cities no longer do their government business in

isolation. The key to success is cooperation and collaboration.

Sources of Law

The main sources of law governing local government are the city charter and ordinances, the state

constitution, state law and the decisions of state courts. Cities are also subject to federal laws and the

United States Constitution. Local elected officials should be familiar with their city’s charter and

ordinances, as well as the state laws regarding open meetings, public records, budgeting, public

contracting, and ethics, some of which are described below.

Home Rule and Limitations of Power

The term “home rule” refers to the authority of a city to set policy and manage its own affairs. Without

charter home rule, state law controls the existence, form of organization, functions, powers and finances of

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 8

local government. Most home rule authority is conferred

on a city by its charter. A charter can be thought of as

the city’s constitution and may be amended only by a

vote of the citizens of that city.

Even in light of home rule, local governments are subject

to statutory, constitutional, judicial and charter

limitations. Under Oregon constitutional home rule

provisions, the voters of the state have taken from the

state Legislature, and reserved to the voters of cities, the

power to adopt and amend their own city charters.

Initiative and referendum powers are also reserved to the

voters of the city under Oregon Constitution Article VI,

section 10 and Article XI, section 2.

Article I, Oregon’s Bill of Rights, also applies to local governments. Other constitutional limits and

restrictions include property tax limitations, prohibitions against lending the credit of a city, and regulation

of city elections.

Government Ethics

Public official ethics are governed by various

constitutional provisions, the common law, state statutes,

and occasionally, charter or ordinance provisions.

Government ethics law is

administered and enforced by

the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. State law

may require officials in your city to file a statement of

economic interest each year with the Oregon Government

Ethics Commission. State law also requires that public

officials not use their official position or office to obtain

financial gain other than their official salary, honorariums

or reimbursements of expenses. The law limits the value

of gifts that officials, candidates or members of their

families may solicit or receive, or which any person may

offer, and prohibits public officials from soliciting or receiving offers of future emp

loyment in return for

their influence. The law prohibits public officials from furthering their personal gain by use of

confidential information gained through their position with the city.

Public officials must also avoid a conflict of interest relating to taking official action that may or will result

in financial benefit or detriment to the public official, the public official’s relative, or a business with

which the public official or their relative is associated. When a conflict of interest exists, the public

official must take certain steps such as announcing the conflict and potentially recusing themselves from

any

participation in the discussion or vote on the issue.

Public Meetings Law

The Oregon public meetings law that applies to public bodies is found in ORS 192.610 to 192.695. Under

the public meetings law, a governing body’s meetings are open to the public with certain exceptions.

Meetings of other city bodies such as the planning commission, budget committee, library board, etc., are

also open to the public. Except in emergencies, there must be reasonable notice of regular meetings and at

RESOURCE:

Oregon Government Ethics

Commission Publications

For more information and guidance

on government ethics for public

officials, see the Oregon Government

Ethics Commission’s Guide for

Public Officials, and related

supplement available at:

https://www.oregon.gov/OGEC/Page

s/forms_publications.aspx

RESOURCE:

For a more in-depth explanation of

Oregon Home Rule and Preemptions

see LOC’s Guide to Statutory

Preemption of Home Rule and White

Paper on the Origins, Evolution and

Future of Home Rule, available on

LOC’s online reference library

accessible at:

https://www.orcities.org/resources/

reference/reference-library

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So You Want to Run for Public Office…A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials 9

least 24-hour notice for special meetings. Minutes are required to be taken. Executive sessions – those

meetings that may be closed to the general public – may be held for certain prescribed reasons, but the

media must be allowed to attend these meetings and final decisions may not be made. All final decisions

must be held in a public meeting.

Public Records Law

The Oregon public records law applies to public bodies and

is found in ORS 192.311 to 192.478. The public meetings

law prescribes not only how local government officials and

staff must handle public records, but also how the

local

government must respond to and handle requests for

disclosure.

Budget and Finance

Budgeting is an annual process by which cities identify the

types and levels of services that can be provided within the

constraints of available resources. The general budgeting

process is prescribed by the Oregon local budget law found

in ORS 294.305 to 294.565. The Oregon Department of

Revenue’s Finance and Taxation section administers and

provides advice and assistance to cities regarding budget

matters. The section publishes a local government budget

manual that is the basic reference document for local

budget procedures.

In its most basic form, the budget identifies city programs,

services and activities. City budgets are organized and expenditures are accounted for by “funds” such as

the general fund or street fund, etc. or “activities” such as law enforcement or transportation, in order to

permit identification and handling of revenue earmarked for such purposes. Additional resources on local

budgeting may be accessible on the Oregon Department of Revenue’s website at:

https://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/property/Pages/local-budget.aspx

Liabilities

To some extent, Oregon governments are liable for torts (wrongs to private parties) such as personal

injury, property damage, wrongful entry, false arrest and detention, abuse of process, invasion of privacy,

and interference with contractual relations. The Oregon Tort Claims Act places a financial limit on the

extent of the government’s liability for torts.

The personal liability of public officials is governed primarily by the provisions of the Oregon Tort Claims

Act. Federal civil rights law, the common law of torts, and specific Oregon statutes also may impose

personal liability. Some examples of personal liability are budget law violations, conflicts of interests,

actions outside the scope of official duty, malfeasance in office, public contracting violations, and public

meetings law and public records law violations.

The council should routinely consult with the city attorney in making decisions on city affairs. In addition

to providing professional and technical services such as preparation of formal opinions and drafting of

legal documents, the city attorney can supply advice regarding many other matters.

RESOURCE:

Oregon Attorney General’s Public

Records and Meetings Manual

Without doubt one of the most helpful

resources on public meetings and

records is the Attorney General’s

Public Records and Meetings

Manual. The Manual provides

guidance and explanations to the

various laws that govern Oregon

public records and meetings. The

Manual is available online free of

charge at:

https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-

department-of-justice/public-

records/attorney-generals-public-

records-and-meetings-manual/

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Some types of insurance are required by state law, and cities purchase other types for their own protection.

Insurance policies are complex documents, and the advice of competent insurance advisors and the city’s

legal counsel should be sought to make certain that coverages are adequate for the exposures involved.

For more information on risk management, contact Citycounty Insurance Services online at

https://www.cisoregon.org/Contact-CIS

Communications – The Key to Success

Council effectiveness is dependent upon good group

dynamics. Each new configuration of the council creates it

owns personality and style of operation. As with any group,

each council must go through the usual evolution of forming,

storming, norming, performing and, eventually, reforming.

A number of city councils in Oregon have adopted internal

rules of council procedure to promote effective governance

and establish ground rules for working together.

Elected Officials and the Public Spotlight

Becoming an elected official means living in the public

spotlight 24 hours a day. Elected officials come to realize that this is simply a condition that accompanies

the position – for better or worse. Don’t be alarmed if your personal life becomes front page news and the

“talk of the town.” It’s bound to happen sooner or later. Media relations is a skill that can work in the

city’s favor. It is wise to develop a respectful relationship with a local reporter and attempt to create a

reciprocal relationship. Be sensitive of the reporter’s job and their need to meet deadlines. At the same

time, be careful and never speak “off the record.” Expect anything you say or write to be used. Don’t

assume an interview is over until the reporter has left the scene. Also, before speaking with the press on a

matter related to the city, make sure you and your council have identified any needed protocols for

interactions with the media. Some cities have identified, through their council rules of procedure, how

elected officials communicate with the press – identifying what a councilor or mayor can do when they

“speak for” the city as opposed to when they are “speaking for” themselves.

Representing the Public

Two of the most important tasks of local government officials

are to discover citizen opinion and to ensure that citizens have

sufficient information to form knowledgeable opinions. For

these tasks to be carried out successfully, elected officials

must solicit public input and encourage citizen participation

and involvement.

Communication is important in achieving effective citizen

participation in local government. Success depends on both

the attitudes and interests of citizens and city officials.

Citizens need to know their efforts are recognized and valued

in the decision-making process. Public hearings, advisory

committees, town hall meetings, televised council meetings,

volunteer participation, public opinion polls, and interest

groups are ways to connect citizens with city government in a significant way.

SPOTLIGHT:

Guidelines for Surviving Life in

the “Public Fishbowl”

 Be truthful.

 If you don’t know the answer,

say so.

 Anticipate all situations and

questions.

 Be prepared.

 Be accountable and responsible

for everything you do and say.

RESOURCE:

For sample rules of procedure, see

LOC’s Model Rules of Procedure

for Council Meetings available on

LOC’s online reference library

accessible at:

https://www.orcities.org/resources/

reference/reference-library

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Community Visioning and Goal Setting

City councils should develop community visioning and conduct annual goal setting processes in order to

provide a roadmap for all city decisions.

Visioning: Sustaining Quality of Life

City governance is an institution that enables a community of citizens, through their elected representa-

tives, to maintain safety and a good quality of life, which is accomplished by developing policy, adopting

implementing laws and ordinances, and planning for the delivery and financing of public services.

Success is dependent upon the ability to stay in touch with the public’s needs and desires, to understand

the issues, and to balance the short and long term social, economic and environmental impacts. A vision

statement provides a blueprint for the future and helps the council, staff and citizens to set priorities, goals,

and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes.

Setting City Goals

A clear set of goals provides the framework within which nearly all city activities can be accomplished.

Goals provide direction, reduce crisis management environments, develop cohesiveness among council

members, allow managers and staff to manage their time and activities effectively, and permit periodic

evaluation of progress to manage any necessary mid-course corrections.

Without goals, a council cannot distinguish between movement and progress. Individuals and groups can

spend tremendous effort and resources preforming activities that, in retrospect, were not necessary. Often

the reason for this wasted effort is the absence of a clear set of priorities and specific plans for accomplish-

ing them.

Typically, council goals are developed for a one to two-year period. They are a tool for focusing the

council’s efforts; communicating priority issues to the community; and providing clear direction to city

staff. Council goals should be articulated in such a way that they are specific, realistic, outcome-based,

within the city’s control, and measurable. Once goals have been set and adopted by the council, they can

be used as a measure for evaluating staff performance, guiding budget decisions, and managing

unanticipated issues that arise during the year.

About the League of Oregon Cities

The LOC is the trusted, go-to resource that helps Oregon city staff and elected leaders serve their cities

well and speak with one voice. The LOC is here to provide cities what they need to build thriving

“Every city has an unbelievable talent pool that can help change a city from

average to outstanding. However, members of the community must realize how

important their involvement can be. I truly believe that King City is a great example

of what can happen when a diverse group of dedicated residents are committed to

helping the city government represent the people, as city councilors. Progress in a

city can only be made by the people who represent the people in the community in

which they live and deeply care about.”

- Ken Gibson, Mayor, King City

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communities, through advocacy, training, and information. Created in 1925 through an intergovernmental

agreement of incorporated cities, the LOC is essentially an extended department of all 241 Oregon cities.

Resources and Recommended Reading

The LOC provides numerous resource available online at www.orcities.org. The public can access

reference materials such as “Topics A-Z” and the Reference Library under the “Resources” tab.

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