All members of the community and media are encouraged to attend, observe, and/or participate in the Budget Committee Meetings. The next budget meeting/hearing is following the 4:15pm City Council Meeting on May 21, 2026. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to observe the process and/or participate. The location of this meeting is at the Waldport Community Center, 265 NW Alsea Hwy (AKA: NW Hemlock), Waldport, Oregon.
Below is the Mayors public statement about her decision not to attend, followed by the proposed budget to be voted on by the city council:​​​
​May 21, 2026
Dear Council Members,
As I will not be attending tonight’s Budget Committee meeting or City Council meeting, I respectfully request that this statement be read into the record by a member of the Council so that my position and concerns may be shared publicly with both the Council and the community:
After learning earlier today that citizens were required to personally pay for access to audio and video recordings of public budget meetings after requests for full access were denied or significantly limited, I cannot in good conscience participate in today’s budget hearing.
I also remain deeply concerned that the City Council has not reviewed or approved a completed audit presentation for several years. At prior meetings, requests were made for the auditors themselves to present findings and answer questions publicly. Those requests were not accommodated.
In my experience serving on municipal budget committees, I have never participated in a budget process where not a single substantive change was made to the proposed budget presented by administration, despite questions and concerns raised during committee discussion.
I am additionally troubled by the lack of clear reporting regarding ongoing capital improvement projects, including the status of millions of dollars in grant-funded work, remaining balances, and future funding obligations.
Transparency is not simply about legal compliance. It is about ensuring that elected officials and residents alike can independently understand and evaluate the city’s financial position and priorities.
For these reasons, I do not feel comfortable supporting or participating in today’s budget hearing process and will not be attending the Budget Committee meeting.
I will also not be attending tonight’s City Council meeting. The ongoing strained and contentious atmosphere within the Council, compounded by recent developments involving the Council President that have generated substantial community attention, has resulted in stress-related health concerns, and I have been advised to step back from today’s proceedings. Under these circumstances, I do not believe participating in an already fractured environment would be constructive for either the city or my own well-being.
My decisions to forgo these meetings today should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the city or to my responsibilities as mayor. I remain committed to advocating for transparency, accountability, and respectful public service on behalf of our residents.
Respectfully,
Mayor Heide Lambert​
