Salem Mayor Julie Hoy will proclaim the winners in five city races on Monday, June 22, including Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, her opponent in the mayoral election on May 19, 2026.  Her proclamation is required under Salem City Code, following the county clerks in both Marion and Polk co unties certifying the results of the elections earlier this month.  The results include the mayoral election between Hoy and Nordyke, as well as four Salem City Council races, and municipal judge Eleanor Beatty who ran unopposed. In the Salem council races for wards on the Marion County side, Hoy will proclaim Linda Nishioka, David Inbody and Betsy Vega winners. Vega beat incumbent city councilor Mai Vang by just 44 votes.  Shortly after initial election results last month showed Vega ahead, Vang’s campaign manager Paige Barton sought to establish that Vega was not qualified to run for the position. She alleged Vega used an old address when she filed to run for office, and then relied on an expired voter registration when filing a signature petition to qualify as a candidate.  City election officials said they will make a final determination on Vega’s qualifications after Monday night, and if she is found to be ineligible, Vang would have to run again for her seat in November.  The Ward 8 race in Polk County between incumbent councilor Micki Varney and her opponent Chris Cummings was also certified, but is likely to go to a runoff election in November as neither candidate got more than half of total votes.  The canvass of votes certified by Polk County Clerk Kim Williams showed Varney received only five votes more than Cummings.  Ballots cast in the Ward 8 race are scheduled to be recounted by hand on Thursday, June 25.  Council to consider adopting 2027 budget  What’s happening?  On Monday night councilors will consider adopting the city’s 2027 budget for the next fiscal year which begins on July 1.  The city is required by law to adopt a balanced budget prior to the new fiscal year.  If approved the city’s established expenditure budget would be $824.6 million for its range of services including public works, police and fire departments, the library, and parks. Background:  The new budget would add four police officers, fund a new fire department crisis team, and continue expanded homeless camp clean-ups and outreach.  Earlier this month, the council held a public hearing on the budget committee’s proposed budget. The budget committee includes all councilors, and nine appointed Salem residents. Councilors unanimously voted to send the proposed budget with amendments to a final vote.  Find more information on the proposed 2026 budget here.  Get involved  How to watch Monday’s Salem City Council meeting When: 6 p.m. Monday, June 22 Where: In person at Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library (585 Liberty St. S.E.) Watch online: Livestreamed on YouTube in English and Spanish Public comment options In person: Members of the public can sign up to comment on any item on the council agenda. Remote comment: Sign up on the city’s website between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday Written comment: Email [email protected] before 5 p.m. Monday, or drop off a paper comment at the City Recorder’s Office, Civic Center (555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225) Also before the council   Lien forgiveness  What’s happening?  Councilors will consider renewing a lien forgiveness program that began last November to address blighted buildings in Salem, a staff report from Community Planning Development Director Kristin Retherford showed.  If approved, the program will be extended until June 30, 2027.  The program aims to revitalize properties that have become an eyesore or drain on city resources by forgiving unpaid penalties in exchange for investments in cleanup and redevelopment.  Property stats:  Since November 2025, 22 out of 78 eligible property owners have applied to the program, the report said.  All 22 applicants were accepted, and 13 of them have completed their property improvements.  9 of the applicants are actively working to mitigate code violations on their properties.  So far the city forgave 40 liens through the program with a total value of about $200,000.  FEMA grant for Geren Island Water Treatment plant  What’s happening?  Councilors will consider authorizing the city manager to apply for a nearly $11 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help pay for the design and construction of a new bridge for the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility, a staff report from Public Works Director Brian Martin showed.  The city is required to match the FEMA grant by 25%, a sum that is already factored into the city’s current Capital Improvement Plan.  Estimated construction costs are about $14 million.  More on the bridge replacement:  The facility is the primary treatment plant for Salem’s drinking water supply, making the bridge replacement a critical piece of future infrastructure.  The current bridge was built in 1965, and the new one will meet modern design standards.  An open section under the new bridge will be designed to handle storm flows which are expected to increase because of climate change.  Council considers appointments to boards and commissions What’s happening?  Councilors will consider several appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions on Monday night, according to a report from the city’s Council Boards Commissions Appointments Committee.  Some boards and commission positions are appointed by the council, and others are appointed by the mayor.  The appointments commission includes Hoy as chair, and councilors Shane Matthews, Deanna Gwyn and Nordyke.  Who’s being considered?  Laura Buhl and Gary Obrey are considered for full terms on the Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission expiring on Dec. 31, 2028.  Lora Walker, David Rheinholdt and Bradley Bohnstedt are being considered for full terms on the Community Police Review Board expiring on Jan. 1, 2028.  Mayor Hoy recommended Theresa Scott for a full term to the Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board expiring on June 30, 2028.  Marilyn Harbur is considered for a partial term on the Salem Parks Recreation Advisory Board expiring on Dec. 31, 2026.  Seth Short is recommended for the Salem Public Art Commission expiring on Dec. 31, 2028.  Debbie Lockhart and David Levy are considered for reappointments to the Salem Public Library Advisory Board expiring on June 30, 2029.  Jonathan Castro Monroy and Mawadda Amboun are considered for partial terms on the Salem Public Library Advisory Board. Castro Monroy’s term ends on June 30, 2028, and Amboun’s term ends on June 30, 2027.   Mayoral appointments to Human Rights Commission  What’s happening?  Mayor Hoy will announce Monday her appointments to the city’s Human Rights Commission, a staff report showed.   Who got appointed?  Haley Barenbaum, Georgia Smith and Brian Fordham were appointed to full three year terms on the Human Rights Commission.  Lucy Hamer was appointed to a partial term on the commission expiring Dec. 31, 2027.  Capital improvement plan   What’s happening?  Councilors will consider adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2027, according to a staff report from Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston.  The proposed plan includes projects expected to cost a total of about $400 million over the next five years. Projects include community facilities, municipal facilities, transportation and utilities.  Proposed rule changes for boards and commissions  What’s happening?  Councilors will receive a report on proposed amendments to city code updating, modifying and standardizing requirements to serve on boards, commissions and committees, according to a report from City Attorney Dan Atchison. Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected].  SIGN UP: Salem Reporter is dedicated to covering the people, issues, and stories that shape our community. Stay connected to Salem. Subscribe today. The post Salem Mayor Julie Hoy to proclaim winners of city elections Monday night  appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less