The Lake Oswego Budget Committee endorsed the local government’s budget for the 2025-27 biennium during a meeting Thursday, May 8.

The proposed budget totals $462 million for the biennium with $245 million going toward operations and 11% for capital projects.

Here are some notable items from the budget:

Lake access point patrol

Money is allocated for a hired staffer to patrol the new entry point to Oswego Lake at Millennium Plaza Park during the afternoons and evenings Thursdays through Sundays in the summer months. This person would also patrol water access points at George Rogers Park and Foothills Park. Bennett said this position would cost $55,000 annually.

“The idea behind having the staff person there during the summer months is to educate people who enter the lake,” City Manager Martha Bennett said at the meeting.

Bennett added there still could be some patrolling of the lake entry point during off hours and that park rangers and police can respond to incidents when they occur. Further, the city manager said the local government will implement a camera at the entry point that can be accessed in the event that the city has evidence a crime occurred.

Councilor Ali Afghan noted that the council can consider investing more in patrols if needed in the future.

Capital projects

Capital projects include improvements to Blue Heron Road (which community members have been advocating for for many years) and Lakeview Boulevard, the Willamette River Greenway Trail Connection, a West Waluga Park neighborhood connector, more new pathways and ADA curb ramps, and a new fire department brush truck, hydro-excavator and street sweeper.

Body cameras, staff funding

The city is making a one-time $300,000 allocation toward new body camera equipment for the Lake Oswego Police Department.

The police department also will have a higher budget increase to pay for the additional costs associated with the replacement of veteran employees with new ones. The Planning Department also had a higher than average budget increase.

The city is adding the equivalent of 31 full-time positions to staff the new Lake Oswego Recreation & Aquatic Center.

With the budget committee process complete, Lake Oswego City Council will approve the budget during an upcoming meeting.