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Wednesday, March 1, 2023
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
SHPD recognizes officers STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
St. Helens Police Officer Adam Raethke is Officer of the Year and Sgt. Jon Eggers is the St. Helens Police Department Supervisor of the Year. St. Helens Police Department officers, partner agencies, and community members were honored at an annual St. Helens police awards banquet ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 26. The commendations presented at the banquet recognized officers and community members for their exemplary service, conduct, and life-saving efforts that went above and beyond the normal high standards of their positions. Officer and Supervisor of the Year Officer Raethke was described as someone with an unparalleled work ethic, tenacity, and com-
mitment to service. In addition to his regular patrol duties, he also serves as a deputy medical examiner in Columbia County, according to a release from the City of St. Helens. In 2022, Raethke was instrumental in working with detectives to identify and charge suspects involved in fentanyl distribution in the area. Sgt. Eggers was noted for his professionalism and dedication to service. He is widely respected within the St. Helens Police Department and in the surrounding community, according to the release. Eggers has served as the Department’s K-9 handler for over 20 years in addition to his patrol supervisor duties. In 2022, Eggers and K-9 Ryder successfully tracked and apprehended a potentially armed suspect in a residential neighborhood. Eggers
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Snow Day Photo courtesy from Brandi Backus
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Officer Adam Raethke is the SHPD Officer of the Year.
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St. Jon Eggers is the SHPD Supervisor of the Year.
A series of winter storms paraded through Columbia County over the past week providing Dominic Backus and Grayson Shelby of Scappoose the chance to build a snowman. The weather forced the closure or delay of schools and challenged drivers and pedestrians alike. The National Weather Service forecast calls for another chance of snow, then rain with clearing, into the weekend. Follow the latest weather developments at thechronicleonline.com.
Oregon taxpayers to see $3.9B kicker JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
Oregon’s key economic indicator, the quarterly revenue forecast for March, shows significant revenue growth. The forecast, released Wednesday, Feb. 22, by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, states that the unexpected revenue growth in the current biennium has left Oregon with unprecedented balances, followed by a record kicker in 2023-25.
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The projected personal kicker is $3.9 billion, which will be credited to taxpayers when they file their returns in 2024.
• The projected personal kicker is $3.9 billion, which will be credited to taxpayers when they file their returns in 2024. • The projected corporate kicker is $1.5 billion, which will be retained in the General Fund for K-12 educational spending.
“Once the 2023-25 biennium is behind us, Oregon’s major revenue sources are expected to bounce back quickly,” the Forecast Summary reads. “However, growth over the extended horizon will continue to be constrained by demographics, with the babyboom population cohort earning and spending less.” Executive Summary March 2023 Either the economic storm clouds have parted, or we are in the eye of the hurricane. Any near-term recession fears are fading with each month of somewhat lower inflation and the continued economic boom. However, the Federal Reserve must still navigate the choppy waters of a tight labor market, fast wage growth, easing financial conditions, and
strong household finances and consumer spending. All of these are likely to keep the underlying trend in inflation above the Fed’s target for the foreseeable future. Last quarter our office made a late 2023 mild recession the most likely outcome for the Oregon economy, primarily due to the fact there had been zero slowdown in inflation at that time. Today, there have been a few months of somewhat lower inflation. Even as the underlying trend in inflation remains twice as fast as the Federal Reserve’s target, this is a noticeable slowing from much of last year. The Fed is also starting to ease off the brakes and wait for the impact of past interest rate increases to cool the economy in the months ahead.
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City selects Gloria Butsch as finance director STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
Gloria Butsch has been selected as the City of St. Helens new finance director. Butsch joins the City of St.
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Vol. 141, No. 9
Helens after working at the City of Independence, Oregon for 11 years. During her tenure in Independence, she was involved in the development and financing of their downtown riverfront which housed a former rock pit and concrete plant. She also led the refinancing of debt obligations, which saved the city several million dollars in interest costs, according to a release from the City of St. Helens. “St. Helens really caught my interest when I learned about the Riverfront Project,” Butsch said. “It closely parallels the projects I’ve been involved with in Independence. After visiting the area a couple times and reading staff testimonials, I knew that St. Helens is a place that I want to live and work.” Prior to working at the City of Independence, Butsch was an audit manager for a public accounting firm in Newport where she performed audit fieldwork for various government entities. She was also a finance manager for two years at the Seal Rock Water District. “We look forward to welcoming Gloria to our team,” St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh said. “As our budget season gets underway and we have
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I knew that St. Helens is a place that I want to live and work. ~ Gloria Butsch, Finance Director
several major infrastructure and redevelopment projects starting, we are happy to have someone in St. Helens with extensive knowledge of government finances. Her experience with riverfront development and financing will be an
added benefit for St. Helens.” Butsch is heavily involved with the Oregon Government Finance Officers Association (OGFOA). She is the association’s current president-elect and becomes president on February 28, 2023. She has served on OGFOA’s Board of Directors since March 2017 and has led the Small Jurisdictions Forum program since 2019. She has also served on the Education Committee since 2010 and the Hospitality Committee since 2017. She has also served as a reviewer of OGFOA’s Distinguished Budget award program. Butsch has been a member of Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) since 2015 and served on the Oregon Public Performance Improvement Association (OPPIA) from 2018 to 2020. Butsch has spent most of her life on the West Coast. She grew up in a small town in Northern California before living in Alaska for almost 13 years. She moved to the Oregon Coast in 1996 and has remained in Oregon since. In her free time, she enjoys travel and golf with her husband. Position details
The following details about the
finance director position are from the City of St. Helens. Monthly salary range $9,614 – $11,773 Benefits package includes: • Medical, dental, & vision insurance • HRA VEBA • STD, LTD, & $20,000 Life Insurance • PERS Retirement • 12 days sick leave, 11 Holidays + 2 floating days per year • Vacation leave beginning at 8hrs/month • Longevity pay beginning at 5 years • $75/month wellness reimbursement Finance Director Summary of Duties
Reporting to the City Administrator, the Finance Director manages and coordinates the activities of Finance and Utility Billing as well as staff in both divisions. The Finance Director develops concepts and a philosophy that guides the operations of both divi-
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