City of Forest Grove
Welcome Page
1924 Council Street - P.O. Box 326 - Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
(503) 359-3200 - FAX 359-3207
newThe City has its own Web Site under construction. The City's site will be linked to Pacific University and the Chamber.
- GroveNet's Online Guide to Government and Other Organizations, including CascadeLink's fine guide to local, state, national and international governments, and a link to Munisource, the WWW site for municipalities worldwide.
- The Washington County Council on Aging, Inc. offers extensive information about services available to seniors and other citizens.
- The Proposal to create a yard-debris recycling program and eventually eliminate open burning in Forest Grove.
- The City Manager's 1997 Budget Address.
- A map and detailed information about nearby Hagg Lake courtesy of Washington County's Web site.
- For an overview of City government and its advisory boards, review the Handbook for City Council Advisory Boards.
- The 1997-99 Council Goals.
- Numerous other City documents.
Additional City Web sites of interest:
- Review the latest City Council Agenda.
- Check the Schedule of upcoming events in City government.
- Various City Documents are available online.
- Contact members of the City Council or City Manager.
- Visit the Mayor's Home Page for an online newsletter about current events in City government.
- Contact agencies of the county, regional, state and federal governments.
- Send a message to the GroveNet
- to GroveNet at no cost. Simply type subscribe grovenet in the message area, leaving the subject area of the screen blank.
City Departments
The City of Forest Grove employs approximately 140 people and provides a full range of services to its 16,190 citizens in the following departments:
- Legislative/Executive - Send to the Mayor, members of the City Council or the City Manager.
- Police - Tom Lowther, Chief
- Fire - Bob Davis, Chief
- Community Development - Send to Karl Mawson, Director.
- Library - Colleen Winters, Director.
- Parks & Recreation - Tom Gamble, Director Aquatic Center Superintendant
- Light and Power - Dave Bouchard, Director.
- Public Works - Rob Foster, Director.
- Support Services - Paul Downey, Finance Director.
General Information
Incorporated in 1872, the City of Forest Grove has adopted the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council is Forest Grove's nonpartisan elected legislature. The Council determines City policy through the enactment of laws (ordinances), the adoption of resolutions and setting annual goals. The Council derives its authority from the City Charter and the laws and Constitution of the State of Oregon. The City Manager is appointed by the Council and is responsible for implementing the policies adopted by it.
There are seven members of the Council, including the mayor, each elected to four-year terms. Citywide elections are held every two years.
The City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, with additional work sessions scheduled as the Council's workload requires. Each Councilor serves as liaison to one of the City's seven boards and commissions, which advise the Council on important community issues.
Forest Grove's estimated assessed valuation for the 1997-98 fiscal year is $583.4 million, with a projected tax rate of $4.90 per $1,000. The total budget for all City departments is $44.4 million. 81% of the City's property tax revenues of $2.768 million are expended on public safety services (police, fire and communications). For more information about the City's budget, review the City Manager's 1997 Budget Address to the Budget Committee.
Nyuzen is Forest Grove's Sister City in Japan.
Please send us your on the City of Forest Grove's Web site or to the GroveNet
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