City Charter
The City of Corvallis was incorporated on January 28, 1857.
The City Charter functions as the city's constitution and contains the most up-to-date local laws governing the city.
The current City Charter was most recently revised in May 2026 and is available below or as a 19-page PDF.
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CORVALLIS CITY CHARTER
May 2026
City Incorporated January 28, 1857
CHARTER
TO PROVIDE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF CORVALLIS, BENTON COUNTY, OREGON; AND TO REPEAL ALL CHARTER PROVISIONS OF THE CITY ENACTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT THIS CHARTER IS ENACTED, EXCEPT THOSE HEREIN RETAINED.
Be it enacted by the people of the City of Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon: We, the people of Corvallis, Oregon, exercise our power to the fullest extent possible, under the Constitution and laws of this State and enact this home rule charter:
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
CHAPTER 1
Names and Boundaries
Section 1. Title of Enactment. This enactment may be referred to as the Corvallis Charter of 2021, an amendment of the 2017 Charter.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
Section 2. Name of City. The City of Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, shall continue to be a municipal corporation, with the name "City of Corvallis."
CHAPTER 2
Powers
Section 3. Powers. The City has all powers that the constitutions, statutes, and common law of the United States and Oregon expressly or impliedly grant or allow the City, as fully as though this Charter specifically enumerated each of those powers.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026]
Section 4. Responsibility to All People. The City shall exercise its power to ensure the equal protection, treatment, and representation of all persons without discrimination including, but not limited to, age, citizenship status, color, familial status, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, religious observance, sex, sexual orientation, and source or level of income. Corvallis is a community that honors diversity and diverse interests, and aspires to be free of prejudice, bigotry, and hate.
[This section added by general election November 7, 2006.]
Section 5. Construction. The Charter will be liberally construed so that the City may exercise fully all powers possible under this Charter and under United States and Oregon law. The specific mention of particular powers in the Charter shall not be construed as limiting in any way the general power granted in this Section. This Charter’s interpretation shall be examined in its entirety.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 6. Distribution. The Oregon Constitution reserves initiative and referendum powers as to all municipal legislation to City voters. This Charter vests all other City powers in the Council except as the Charter otherwise provides. The Council has legislative, administrative, and quasi- judicial authority. The Council exercises legislative authority by ordinance, administrative authority by resolution, and quasi-judicial authority by order. The Council may not delegate its authority to adopt ordinances.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
CHAPTER 3
Form of Government
Section 7. Where Powers Vested. All powers of the City shall be vested in the City Council, except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter, and the Council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the City by law.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 8. Council. The Council shall be composed of nine Councilors, one from each ward. The term of office of Councilors shall be two years. There shall be elected one Councilor from each ward at each general municipal election. The Councilors in office at the time this Charter is amended shall continue in office until the election of Councilors at the first general municipal election after adoption of this amended Charter section.
[As amended by special election May 27, 1971; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 9. Wards.
(a) For the purpose of municipal representation, the City of Corvallis shall be divided into nine wards designated by the City Council by ordinance not later than five days or earlier than 30 days before the first date on which candidates may file for each election as Councilors.
(b) The Council must, by ordinance, revise the description of any wards or ward in order to conform to the one person, one vote principle. Ward boundaries shall conform to the principles of neighborhood groupings, compactness of area, and regularity of boundaries insofar as can reasonably be attained.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 69-22, February 17, 1969, adopted by Charter amendment special election March 18, 1969; special election May 27, 1971; special election November 7,
1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 10. Mayor. At the biennial general election held in 1954 and every fourth year thereafter, a Mayor shall be elected for a term of four years.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 54-6, March 1, 1954, adopted by Charter amendment special election May 21, 1954; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 11. Council-appointed Positions. The offices of City Manager, Municipal Judge, and City Attorney are hereby created. The Council shall fill each of these offices by appointment as the need so arises.
[As amended by special election November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 12. Other Officers and Employees. The Council may create such additional appointive offices as it deems necessary. No person may fill more than one appointive office without approval of the Council.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 59-1, January 19, 1959, adopted by Charter amendment special election February 19, 1959; special election May 23, 1972; special election November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 13. Compensation. The Council must authorize the compensation of City officers and employees as part of its approval of the annual City budget.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 14. Officers Generally.
(a) The Mayor and each Councilor must be a qualified elector under state law and reside within the city for at least one year immediately before election or appointment to office.
(b) No person may be a candidate at a single election for more than one City office.
(c) Neither the Mayor nor a Councilor may be employed by the City.
(d) The Council is the final judge of the election and qualifications of its members.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election November 2, 2021; general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered); and special election held May 23, 1972.]
CHAPTER 4
Council
Section 15. Meetings and Rules.
(a) The Council must meet at least once each month at a time and place designated by its rules and may meet at other times in accordance with the rules and laws of the state of Oregon.
(b) The Council must by resolution adopt rules to govern its meetings.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election November 2, 2021; and general election November 7, 2006.]
Section 16. Quorum. Except as specifically addressed here and in Section 34, a majority of the Council members is a quorum to conduct business. In the event of an absence, a smaller number may meet and compel attendance of absent members as prescribed by Council rules. In the event of a vacancy due to resignation or other events, the quorum is reduced accordingly solely for the purpose to make necessary appointment(s) to reach the required quorum as outlined in Section 34.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 17. Record. A record of Council meetings must be kept in a manner prescribed by the Council rules and the laws of the state of Oregon.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 18 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
Section 19. Mayor's Functions at Council Meetings. The Mayor shall be chair of the Council and preside over its deliberations. The Mayor shall not vote except in the case of a tie vote of the members of the Council present at the meeting. The Mayor shall have authority to preserve order, enforce the rules of the Council, and determine the order of business under the rules of the Council.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 20. President of the Council. At its first meeting after this Charter takes effect and thereafter at its first meeting of each odd-numbered year, the Council by ballot shall elect a president and a vice-president from its membership. In the Mayor's absence from a Council meeting, the president shall preside over it; in the absence of both the Mayor and the president, the vice-president shall preside. Whenever the Mayor is unable, on account of absence, illness, or other causes to perform the functions of the office, the president of the Council shall act as Mayor; in the absence of both the Mayor and the president, the vice-president shall act as Mayor.
[As amended by special election, November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 21. Vote Required. The express approval of a majority of a quorum of the Council is necessary for any Council decision, except when this Charter provides otherwise. The voting requirement to fill Council member vacancies, if there is less than a majority of council members remaining, is separate from the quorum requirement required to conduct all remaining City business unless otherwise stated.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
CHAPTER 5
Powers and Duties of Officers
Section 22. Mayor. The Mayor shall appoint the committees provided under the rules of the Council. The Mayor shall sign all approved records of proceedings of the Council. The Mayor shall sign all ordinances passed by the Council within three days after their passage, unless the Mayor veto the same. If the Mayor vetoes an ordinance, the Mayor must, within 10 days from receipt thereof, return same to the City Recorder with a statement of the reasons for not approving it, and if the Mayor does not so return it, such ordinance shall become law, unless otherwise provided in such ordinance. Upon the first regular meeting of the Council after the return of such ordinance from the Mayor not approved, the City Recorder shall deliver the same to the Council, with the message of the Mayor, which must be read. Such ordinance shall then be put upon its passage again, and if two-thirds of all the members constituting the Council, as then provided by law, vote in the affirmative, it shall become a law unless otherwise provided in such ordinance, without the approval of the Mayor and not otherwise. But if no vote is taken at such meeting on the passage of such ordinance, it shall be deemed to have failed to become a law because not approved by the Mayor. The Mayor shall also, upon approval of the Council, endorse all bonds of officers of the City.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 23. City Manager.
(a) Qualifications. The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the government of the City. The Manager shall be chosen by the Council without regard to political considerations and solely with reference to executive and administrative qualifications. The Manager need not be a resident of the State at the time of appointment, but promptly thereafter shall become and during the Manager’s tenure remain a resident of the City. Before taking office, the Manager shall file with the Mayor a bond for faithful performance of the Manager’s duties as Manager, payable to the City in the amount determined by the Council by ordinance, the premium of which the City shall pay. The bond shall be to the satisfaction of the Council.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(b) Term. The Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term and may be removed at the pleasure of the Council. Upon any vacancy occurring in the office of Manager, the Council at its next meeting shall adopt a resolution of its intention to appoint another Manager that sets out the specific recruiting process and timeline the Council will use to select that Manager. The Council has no authority to appoint another City Manager earlier than the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting following the adoption of the resolution. Using the process set out in the resolution, the Council has a duty to appoint a Manager to fill the vacancy within two years of the date of the resolution.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; special election November 7, 1995.]
(c) Powers and duties. The powers and duties of the Manager shall be as follows:
(1) The Manager shall devote the Manager’s entire time to the discharge of official duties, attend all meetings of the Council, unless excused therefrom by the Council or the Mayor, keep the Council advised at all times of the affairs and needs of the City, and make reports annually, or more frequently if requested by the Council, of all the affairs and departments of the City.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(2) The Manager shall see that all ordinances are enforced and that the provisions of all franchises, leases, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the City are observed.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(3) The Manager shall appoint all appointive City officers and employees except as this Charter otherwise provides, and shall have general supervision and control over them and their work, with power to transfer an employee from one department to another, and shall exercise supervision and control over the departments, to the end of obtaining the utmost efficiency in each of them. The Manager shall have no control; however, over the Council or the judicial activities of the Municipal Judge.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; general election November 7, 2006.]
(4) The City Manager shall act as purchasing agent for all departments of the City.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(5) The Manager shall be responsible for preparing and submitting to the Budget Commission the annual budget estimates and such reports as that body requests.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(6) The Manager shall supervise the operation of all public utilities owned and operated by the City and shall have general supervision over all City property.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(7) The Manager shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Charter or as the Council may require.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(d) Seats at Council meetings. The Manager and such other officers as the Council designates shall be entitled to sit with the Council, but shall have no vote on questions before the Council. The Manager may take part in the discussion of all matters before it.
(e) Manager pro tem. In case of the Manager's absence from the City, or a temporary disability to act as Manager, or of the Manager's discharge by the Council, or resignation, the Council shall appoint a Manager pro tem, who shall possess the powers and duties of the Manager. No Manager pro tem, however, shall have the power to appoint or remove any City officer or employee who directly reports to the City Manager except with the approval of three-fourths of the members of the Council. A Manager pro tem may appoint or remove other City officers or employees in a manner consistent with adopted City Policies, in consultation with the Human Resources Department. No Manager pro tem shall hold the position as such for more than two years, and no appointment of a Manager pro tem shall be renewed.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021]
(f) Interference in administration. In order to protect the fundamental form of government chosen by the voters, guard the power of the council as a body, defend against corruption, ensure transparency, and preserve the separation of authority set forth in this Charter between the manager’s administrative authority and the council’s general powers, no council member may actually coerce or attempt to coerce the manager or a candidate for the office of manager in the appointment or removal of any city employee, or in administrative decisions regarding city property or contracts. A violation of this prohibition is grounds for removal from office by a majority of the council after a public hearing. This prohibition does not apply in publicly noticed meetings, including but not limited to council or committee meetings, executive sessions, and work sessions.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election November 2, 2021; and general election November 7, 2006.]
(g) Ineligible persons. No person related to the Manager or the Manager’s spouse by consanguinity or affinity with the third degree, nor the spouse, shall hold any appointive office or employment with the City.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; special election May 23, 1972; general election November 6, 1984; Subsection (e) by primary election May 17, 1988; Subsections (b) and (c) by special election November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 24. Municipal Judge.
(a) A majority of the Council may appoint and remove a municipal judge. A municipal judge will hold court in the city at such place as the Council directs. The court will be known as the Municipal Court.
(b) All proceedings of this court will conform to state laws governing justices of the peace and justice courts.
(c) All areas within the city and areas outside the city as permitted by state law are within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.
(d) The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over every offense created by City ordinance. The court may enforce forfeitures and other penalties created by such ordinances. The court also has jurisdiction under state law unless limited by City ordinance.
(e) The municipal judge may:
(1) Render judgments and impose sanctions on persons and property;
(2) Order the arrest of anyone accused of an offense against the City;
(3) Commit to jail or admit to bail anyone accused of a City offense;
(4) Issue and compel obedience to subpoenas;
(5) Compel witnesses to appear and testify and jurors to serve for trials before the court;
(6) Penalize contempt of court;
(7) Issue processes necessary to enforce judgments and orders of the court;
(8) Issue search warrants; and
(9) Perform other judicial and quasi-judicial functions assigned by ordinance.
(f) The Council may appoint and may remove municipal judges pro tem.
(g) The Council may transfer some or all of the functions of the Municipal Court to an appropriate state court.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election November 2, 2021; general election held November 6, 1984; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
CHAPTER 6
Elections
Section 25 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
Section 26. State Law. City elections must conform to state law except as this Charter or ordinances provide otherwise. All elections for City offices must be nonpartisan.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 27 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
Section 28 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
Section 29. Nominations. The Council must adopt an ordinance prescribing the manner for a person to be nominated to run for mayor or a city councilor position.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election held May 21, 1954; and special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 30 removed by special election May 19, 2026.Section 31 removed by special election May 19, 2026.Section 32 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
CHAPTER 7
Vacancies in Office
Section 33. What Creates Vacancy. The mayor or a council office becomes vacant:
(a) Upon the incumbent’s:
(1) Death;
(2) Adjudicated incompetence; or
(3) Recall from the office.
(b) Upon declaration by the Council after the incumbent’s:
(1) Failure to qualify for the office within 10 days of the time the term of office is to begin;
(2) Absence from the city for 30 consecutive days without Council consent;
(3) Absence from all meetings of the full Council within a 60-day period without Council consent;
(4) Absence from greater than one-quarter of all meetings of the full Council within a calendar year, calculated based only on those meetings during which the incumbent was in office;
(5) Ceasing to reside in the city;
(6) Ceasing to be a qualified elector under state law;
(7) Ceasing to possess the qualifications necessary for the office;
(8) Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony crime; or
(9) Resignation from the office.
For purposes of this section, “meetings of the full Council” means regular Council meetings and Council work sessions.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 34. Filling of Vacancies. A mayor or councilor vacancy shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining Council members. Notwithstanding the quorum requirement set forth in Section 16, if at any time Council membership is reduced to less than five, the remaining members may, by majority action, appoint additional members to raise the membership to five. As little as a single Council member may constitute a majority for purposes of filling vacant Council seat(s), if all other Council seats are vacant, and the Mayor may vote and constitute a majority for purposes of filling vacant Council seats, if all Council seats are vacant. The appointee’s term of office runs from appointment until expiration of the term of office of the last person elected to that office. If a disability prevents a Council member from attending Council meetings or a member is absent from the city, a majority of the Council may appoint a councilor pro tem.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election held November 2, 2021; special election May 21, 1954; special election November 2, 1976; special election May 19, 1981; and special election November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
CHAPTER 8
Legislative, Administrative, and Quasi-Judicial Authority
Section 35. Legislative Authority.
(a) General. The Council will exercise its legislative authority by adopting ordinances. The enacting clause for all ordinances must state “The City of Corvallis ordains as follows:”
(b) Ordinance Adoption.
(1) Except as authorized by subsection (2), adoption of an ordinance requires approval by a majority of the Council at two meetings.
(2) The Council may adopt an ordinance at a single meeting by the unanimous approval of at least a quorum of the Council, provided the proposed ordinance is available in writing to the public at least one week before the meeting.
(3) Any substantive amendment to a proposed ordinance must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public before the Council adopts the ordinance at that meeting.
(4) After the adoption of an ordinance, the vote of each member must be entered into the Council minutes.
(5) After adoption of an ordinance, the City Recorder must endorse it with the date of adoption and the Recorder’s name and title, and within three days thereafter the Mayor shall sign it with the date, the Mayor’s name, and the title of the office, unless the Mayor vetoes or does not return such ordinance as provided in Section 22 hereof.
(6) Effective Date of Ordinances. Ordinances normally take effect thirty days after adoption or on a later day provided in the ordinance. An ordinance may take effect as soon as adopted or other date less than thirty days after adoption if it contains an emergency clause.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 36. Administrative Authority.
(a) General. The Council will normally exercise its administrative authority by approving resolutions. The approving clause for resolutions may state “The City of Corvallis resolves as follows:”
(b) Resolution Approval.
(1) Approval of a resolution or any other Council administrative decision requires approval by the Council at one meeting.
(2) Any substantive amendment to a resolution must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public before the Council adopts the resolution at that meeting.
(3) After approval of a resolution or other administrative decision, the vote of each member must be entered into the Council minutes.
(4) After approval of a resolution, the City Recorder must endorse it with the date of approval and the Recorder’s name and title.
(c) Effective Date of Resolutions. Resolutions and other administrative decisions take effect on the date of approval or on a later day provided in the resolution.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; special election November 2, 2021; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 37. Quasi-Judicial Authority.
(a) General. The Council will normally exercise its quasi-judicial authority by approving orders. The approving clause for orders may state “The City of Corvallis orders as follows:”
(b) Order Approval.
(1) Approval of an order or any other Council quasi-judicial decision requires approval by the Council at one meeting.
(2) Any substantive amendment to an order must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public at the meeting before the Council adopts the order.
(3) After approval of an order or other Council quasi-judicial decision, the vote of each member must be entered in the Council minutes.
(4) After approval of an order, the City Recorder must endorse it with the date of approval and the Recorder’s name and title.
(c) Effective Date of Orders. Orders and other quasi-judicial decisions take effect on the date of final approval, or on a later day provided in the order.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
CHAPTER 9
Public Improvements
Section 38. Condemnation. Any necessity of taking property for the City by condemnation shall be determined by the Council and declared by a resolution of the Council describing the property and stating the uses to which it is to be devoted.
[As amended by general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 39. Acquisition and Disposition of Property. The City shall have power to acquire by purchase, gift, devise, or condemnation any property either within or without its corporate boundaries for any municipal purpose, for the purpose of protecting, preserving, or facilitating any improvement, for the purpose of bringing about such development of property along or in the vicinity of an improvement as will make the development harmonious with and adjusted to the improvement, or for any combination of such purposes. The City shall also have power to acquire by condemnation property in excess of that needed for the actual improvement and to sell or lease the excess with such building and use restrictions and conditions as will tend to make its development harmonious with and adjusted to adjacent public improvements. The City shall have power to provide for the payment of any part or all of the cost of land or other property acquired for public use, of the cost of constructing, reconstructing, repairing, operating, or maintaining any structure or work in the nature of a public facility or improvement, including a public utility, and of the cost of any other public work or service by levying and collecting assessments upon the property specifically benefited thereby.
[As amended by general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 40. Improvements. Street, sewer, sidewalk, and such other public improvements as the Council deems necessary may be undertaken on the motion of the Council or on petition of the owners of two-thirds of the property to benefit specially from the improvements. A remonstrance of the owners of two-thirds of the benefitted property to be specifically affected by a street improvement shall defeat a motion or petition to improve such street, in which event no further action to effect the improvement shall be taken for six months. The procedure for making street, sidewalk, sewers, and for vacating, altering, opening or abandoning street and other public improvements shall be governed by ordinance or the applicable general laws of the State in the absence of ordinance.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 54-6, March 1, 1954, adopted by Charter amendment special election May 21, 1954; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 41. Special Assessments. The procedure for levying, collecting and enforcing special assessments for public improvements or other services charged against real property will be governed by ordinance.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 42 removed by special election May 19, 2026.
CHAPTER 10
Miscellaneous
Section 43. Ordinances Continuation. All ordinances consistent with this Charter in force when it takes effect remain in effect until amended or repealed.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and special election, November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 44. Continuation of Rights and Liabilities. No right or liability of the City existing at the time this Charter takes effect shall be impaired or discharged by adoption of this Charter, except as this Charter otherwise provides.
[As amended by general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 45. Repeal. All Charter provisions adopted before this Charter takes effect are repealed.
[As amended by special election May 19, 2026; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 46. Provisions of Prior Charters Retained. The following provisions of prior Charters are hereby retained:
(a) Authorizing additional tax levy for fire department. In addition to all other or different powers or authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis authorizing the City to levy, assess and collect taxes, the Council is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each year and include in the general tax levy each year such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required, upon all property in the City not exempt from taxation, not to exceed two mills upon the dollar valuation of property assessed, for the purpose of providing additional funds for the equipment, maintenance and conducting of the fire department (to be added to the "fire department fund"). Said levy shall be permitted in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City's tax levy.
[1915 Charter, Section 112; 1929 Charter, Section 112A; 1942 Charter, Section 112A]
(b) Authorizing special tax for recreation program. In addition to all other or different powers and authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, authorizing the City to assess, levy and collect taxes, the Council is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each year and include in the general tax levy each year such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required upon all property in the City not exempt from taxation, not to exceed one mill upon the dollar valuation of property assessed for the purpose of providing additional funds for organizing, administering and conducting a recreational program for said City. Said levy shall be permitted in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City's tax levy.
[1944 Charter, Section 272, as subsequently amended]
(c) Authorizing one year special tax levy. In addition to all other and different powers and authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, authorizing said City to assess, levy and collect taxes, the Council of said City is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each fiscal year, and include in the general tax levy each fiscal year for one year, beginning with the next tax levy after the adoption hereof, such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required, upon all property in said City not exempt from taxation not to exceed five mills upon the dollar valuation of property assessed for the purpose of providing additional funds for any and all legal municipal purposes. Said levy shall be permitted in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City's tax levy.
[1909 Charter, Section 112, as subsequently amended]
(d) Authorizing tax levy for general municipal purposes. The Council has power and authority within the City of Corvallis to assess, levy and collect taxes upon all property, both real and personal, not exempt from taxation. The Council shall levy the amount of taxes necessary to provide for the payment during the ensuing fiscal year of all properly authorized demands upon the treasury, and the tax necessary to pay any interest accruing during the year on the bonded indebtedness of the City and any sinking fund levy lawfully provided for subject to the general laws of the State of Oregon.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 54-6, March 1, 1954, adopted by Charter amendment special election May 21, 1954; 1909 Charter, Section 112.]
(e) Authorizing additional tax levy for fire and street departments. In addition to all other or different powers or authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis authorizing the City to levy, assess and collect taxes, the Council is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each year and include in the general tax levy each year such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required upon all property in the City not exempt from taxation, not to exceed two mills upon the dollar valuation of property assessed, for the purpose of providing additional funds for the equipment, maintenance and conducting of the fire department (to be added to the "fire department fund") and for the maintenance and construction of City streets (to be added to the "street department fund"), not more than one and one-half mills thereof to be used for the fire department and not more than one-half mill thereof to be used for the street department. Said levy shall be permitted in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City's tax levy.
[1948 Charter, Section 276, as subsequently amended]
(f) Water user charge. In addition to all other different powers and authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, the Council is hereby authorized and empowered to establish and collect just and equitable charges upon water users, both within and outside the City, and also upon premises served by sewer, either or both, to provide funds to acquire, construct, equip, operate and maintain within and without the City limits of Corvallis sewage disposal plant or plants, sewers, equipment and appurtenances necessary, useful or convenient for a complete sewer system and disposal plant, including maintenance and extension of the present sewer system.
[1944 Charter, Section 273, as subsequently amended; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 47. Franchises. No franchise shall be granted by the City of Corvallis for a period in excess of 20 years.
[As amended by general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 48 removed by special election May 19, 2026.Section 49. Time of Effect of Charter. This Charter shall take effect December 1, 2021.
[As amended by special election, November 2, 2021]
Section 50. Authorizing a Continuing Special Tax Levy. In addition to all other and different powers and authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, authorizing said City to assess, levy and collect taxes, the Council of said City is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each fiscal year not to exceed five years and include in the general tax levy each fiscal year not to exceed five years beginning with the next tax levy after the adoption hereof, such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required, upon all property in said City not exempt from taxation, not to exceed $38,500.00 per fiscal year (approximately three and one-half mills upon the dollar valuation of property assessed) for each of the aforesaid five years for the purpose of providing additional funds for the construction, equipping, maintenance and manning of a new fire station and other additional fire equipment, and thereafter the said Council of said City is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each fiscal year and include in the general tax levy each fiscal year beginning with the next tax levy after the expiration of five years from the next tax levy after the adoption hereof, such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required, upon all property in said City not exempt from taxation, not to exceed $16,500.00 per fiscal year thereafter (approximately one and one-half mills upon the dollar valuation for property assessed) for the purpose of providing additional funds for the maintenance and manning of said new fire station. Such said tax levies to be in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City's tax levy. Any and all provisions of the Charter and ordinances of said City of Corvallis, Oregon, which shall conflict with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 53-34, September 21, 1953, adopted by Charter amendment special election October 13, 1953; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 51. Authorizing Special Tax for Park and Recreational Program. In addition to all other or different powers and authority contained in the Charter of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, authorizing the City to assess, levy and collect taxes, the Council is hereby authorized and empowered to assess, levy and collect each year and include in the general tax levy each year, such additional special tax levy as in the judgment of the Council shall be required upon all property in the City not exempt from taxation and not to exceed $18,000.00 in any tax year (approximately one and one-half mills upon the dollar valuation of property assessed), for the purpose of providing additional funds for acquiring, improving and administering public parks for said City and conducting recreational programs therefor. Said levy shall be permitted in addition to and in excess of the constitutional 6 percent limitation upon the City tax levy.
[As amended by Ordinance No. 55-48, November 21, 1955, adopted by Charter amendment special election held December 15, 1955; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 52. Services to Property Outside Corporate City Limits. The City shall furnish no services or enter into any agreement or contract to furnish such services to property outside the corporate limits of the City unless the City Council shall have first adopted an ordinance approving the same. Any such ordinance shall contain a provision that it shall not become effective until the expiration of 30 days after its passage and approval by the Mayor. The Council shall make provision for and hold public hearing prior to the adoption of any such ordinance.
[Charter amendment adopted by special election held November 5, 1974; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 53. Vote on Annexations. Unless mandated by State law, annexation, delayed or otherwise, to the City of Corvallis may only be approved by a prior majority vote among the electorate.
[Charter amendment adopted at general election held November 2, 1976; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 54. Appeals to the City Council. In instances where the City Council has delegated authority for rendering decisions following public evidentiary hearings, any decision by that delegated authority may be appealed to the City Council by petition of 10 registered voters who are residents of the City of Corvallis. The City Council shall conduct a de novo hearing, basing its decision upon testimony given by proponents, opponents and staff as well as the record developed by the hearing authority.
[Charter amendment adopted at general election November 2, 1976; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 55. Limiting Property Tax Levies. The City Council may not levy a property tax for general City operations of more than:
(a) To retire bond principal or interest,
(b) Levied serially for capital acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and general operations specifically authorized by the voters,
(c) Millage levies,
(d) To finance an improvement or service in a special district created by the City Council,
(e) Any other property tax levy approved by the voters.
[Charter amendment adopted at a general election held November 2, 1982; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 56. Downtown Development District. The Council of the City of Corvallis is authorized to establish, and from time to time to change the boundaries of a downtown development district which shall be established to provide:
(1) Public parking facilities in the district;
(2) Public transportation in, to, and from the district;
(3) Local and public improvements; and
(4) Economic promotion and development of the district.
The Council is also authorized to tax persons, property, and economic enterprise in the district and to establish one or more agencies to assist the City in the exercise of these powers.
[Added November 8, 1983; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 57. Urban Renewal Plan. Any Urban Renewal Plan or amendment approved by the City Council shall contain the following provisions:
(1) Any collection or use of tax increment funds for any purpose whatsoever must be approved in advance by a majority vote at a City election.
(2) Any collection or use of tax increment funds shall be considered a Substantial Change in the Plan.
[Charter amendment adopted at a primary election held May 21, 1991; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 58. Sections Deleted from Prior Charter and Sections Renumbered. Section 3, "Boundaries;" Section 25, "Recorder;" Sections 28, 30, 31, 35, 37, and 38 [all previously repealed]; Section 51, "Water Commission Abolished, Funds Preserved;" Section 52 [previously repealed]; Section 56 [previously repealed]; Section 59, "Authorizing Construction of Water Treatment Plant, Transmission System, Distribution System Improvements, and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 60, "Authorizing Construction of Sewage Collection and Treatment Facilities and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 62, "Repeal of Section 56 of the Charter of the City of Corvallis;" Section 63, "Authorizing Construction of Water Treatment Plant, Transmission System, Distribution System Improvements, and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 64, "Authorizing Construction of Sewer Collection and Treatment Facilities and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 66, "Authorizing Acquisition of Lands for and the Construction, Equipping, Maintaining and Manning of a New Fire Station, and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 67, "Authorizing Construction of Reservoirs and Water Source, Transmission and Distribution System Construction and Improvements and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 68, "Authorizing Construction of Small Plant Hangar at Corvallis Municipal Airport and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 69, "Authorizing the Construction of Pumping Stations, Interceptor Sewers, Trunk Sewers and Lateral Sewers in the Downtown and South Corvallis Area and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 70, "Authorizing the Acquisition of Land for and the Construction and Equipping of a New City Library and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 71, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Art Center or Art Appreciation and Promotion within the City of Corvallis and Authorizing the City of Corvallis to Enter into Contract for the Purpose Thereof;" Section 72, "Authorizing the Modification, Expansion, and Equipping of Existing Primary Sewage Treatment Facilities and Construction and Equipping of Secondary Sewage Treatment Facilities for the City of Corvallis, and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 73, "Authorizing the Acquisition, Construction, and Installation of a Fire Alarm System in the City of Corvallis, Construction and Acquisition of a Fire Engine by the City of Corvallis, and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 74, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Public Park Land Acquisition and Development, Improvement, Equipping, Maintenance, and Administration of Public Parks;" Section 75, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Fire Department and Police Department of the City of Corvallis;" Section 75A, "Authorizing the Construction, Reconstruction, and Replacement of Water Reservoirs and Water Treatment, Transmission, and Distribution System Improvements and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 76, "Authorizing the Construction and Reconstruction of Hangar Facilities at Corvallis Municipal Airport and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 77, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Art Center for Art Appreciation and Promotion and Authorizing the City of Corvallis to Enter into Contract for the Purchase Thereof;" Section 78, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy to Provide Capital Improvements for an Art Center, and Authorizing the City of Corvallis to Enter into Contracts for the Purpose Thereof;" Section 79, "Authorizing Water Treatment Plant Intake Expansion and Other Works for City Water Department and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 80, "Authorizing a One Year Special Tax Levy;" Section 80A, "Authorizing Sewage Treatment Plant Expansion, the Handling of Industrial Waste and Wet Weather Overflows and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 81, "Authorizing Ten Year Special Tax Levy;" Section 82, "Authorizing Construction, Reconstruction and Replacement of Water Treatment, Transmission, Distribution and Storage System Improvements, and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 83, "Authorizing a Special Bus Service Tax Levy;" Section 85, "Authorizing a Special Tax Levy Outside the Constitutional 6 Percent Limitation;" Section 86, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy Outside the Constitutional 6 Percent Limitation;" Section 87, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Fire Department Capital Outlay, Operation and Maintenance;" Section 90, "Authorizing the Construction and Development of Walnut Boulevard from Witham Hill to Harrison Boulevard with All Necessary Appurtenances and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 91, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Arts Center for Arts Appreciation and Promotion;" Section 92, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy Outside the Constitutional 6 Percent Limitation;" Section 93, "Authorizing the Purchase of Land Commonly Known as I.V. Hill for Park and Open Space Purposes and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 94, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Transit Capital Outlay, Operation and Maintenance;" Section 95, "Authorizing Funds for the Land Acquisition, Design and Engineering, and Preliminary Construction of Highway 34, Eastside Bypass and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 96, "Authorizing Funds for Installation of Fuel Storage Tanks, Construction of Railroad Grade Crossings, Rehabilitation, Installation of Improvements, and Construction of Additions to Existing Buildings; Construction and Installation of Park Improvements; Land Acquisitions for Parks; Street Improvements and Pedestrian Amenities; Traffic Signals; Bridge Construction; Street Widening and Reconstruction; Street Right-of-Way Acquisition and Construction; Bikepath Improvement and Construction and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 97, "Authorizing Funds for the Rehabilitation and/or Replacement of Sanitary Sewer Trunks and Submains and Laterals; and the Construction of Water Transmission Facilities; the Rehabilitation and Repair of Equipment and Facilities of City Water Treatment Plants; Installation of Water Reservoir and Pump Station; Construction and Improvement of Storm Sewer Facilities; Airport Paving and T-Hangar Construction and Other Appurtenant Costs and Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 99, "Authorizing Funds for Rehabilitation, Installation of Improvements, and Construction of Additions to Existing City Buildings; Construction and Installation of Park Improvements; Land Acquisition for Parks and Libraries; Street Improvements; Traffic Signals; Street Widening and Reconstruciton; Street Right-of-Way Acquisition and Construction; Bridge Construction; and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 100, "Authorizing Funds for the Rehabilitation and/or Replacement of Sanitary Sewer Trunks and Submains and Laterals; the Design and Construction of Water Transmission Facilities; the Rehabilitation and Repair of Equipment and Facilities at City Water Treatment Plants; Rehabilitation of Water Reservoir and Pump Station; Construction and Improvement of Storm Sewer Facilities; and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 101, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Transit Capital Outlay, Operation, and Maintenance;" Section 102A, "Authorizing a Three Year Special Tax Levy on the Downtown Development District;" Section 103, "Authorizing Funds for the Rehabilitation and/or Replacement of Sanitary Sewer Trunks, Submains and Laterals; Replacement of the Sequoia Creek Storm Drain; and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 104, "Authorizing Funds for Rehabilitation, Installation of Improvements, and Construction of Additions to the Senior Citizens Center; Street Reconstruction and Sidewalk/Pedestrian Improvements; and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" Section 105, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Transit Operation, Maintenance, and Capital Outlay;" Section 106, "Authorizing a Three Year Special Tax Levy on the Downtown Development District;" Section 107, "Authorizing Funds for Renovation of the Majestic Theatre; and Other Appurtenant Costs and a Bond Issue Therefor;" and Section 108, "Authorizing Special Tax Levy for Arts Center for Arts Appreciation and Promotion." Section of this current Charter are renumbered accordingly.
[Added by special election, November 7, 1995; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 59. Sale, transfer or use change of parks and natural areas.
(1) Sale or transfer of city-owned parks or natural areas, or any change of use of city-owned parks or natural areas to a use not associated with parks or natural areas, shall only be approved by a prior vote among the electorate.
(2) Land that has been acquired for park or natural area purposes shall not be used for any other purposes unless the use is strictly temporary in nature and is compatible with park or natural area use. Such temporary use shall not be subject to vote of the electorate if the temporary use does not exceed 2 years.
[Added by special election, May 16, 2017.]
