ODFW hosts town hall meetings on proposed 2015-17 budget, May 16

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a series of town hall meetings around the state this month to gather public input on the agency’s proposed 2015-2017 budget.  The proposed budget, which is being crafted by ODFW and an external budget advisory committee, will be presented for review and comment at the town hall meetings listed below. All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  “This is a unique opportunity for us to talk with our customers and get their feedback,” said Roy Elicker, ODFW director.  The last fee increase was approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2010. The proposed 2015-17 budget includes a fee increase for recreational and commercial licenses. If approved, changes to the fees would not be effective until 2016. The proposed budget also includes program cuts and shifts costs for some programs on to the State’s general fund revenues.  Public comments will be used to help refine the budget before it is presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 1. Once a proposed budget is approved by the Commission, it will be submitted to the Governor for his consideration. The budget will ultimately be determined by the 2015 Legislature.  Clackamas: Monday, May 19, Monarch Hotel and Conference Center, 12566 SE 93rd Avenue, Clackamas; La Grande: Tuesday, May 20, Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street La Grande; Bend: Wednesday, May 21, Central Oregon Community College, Boyle Education Center, Room 155, 2600 NW College Way, Bend; Tillamook: Thursday, May 22, Department of Forestry, 5005 3rd Street, Large Conference Room, Tillamook; Newport: Thursday, May 22, Hallmark Inn 744 SW Elizabeth Street, Newport; Coos Bay/North Bend: Tuesday, May 27, North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Avenue; Roseburg: Wednesday, May 28, ODFW SW Regional Office, 4192 North Umpqua Highway, Roseburg; Klamath Falls: Thursday, May 29, Oregon Institute of Technology College Union Bldg., Mt. Bailey Room 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls.  Additional ODFW budget information can be found on the ODFW website, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/budget/process.asp  Comments on the agency proposed budget are welcome and can be submitted through July 17, 2014 by email to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us or by mail to ODFW Director’s Office, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem, OR 7302-1142. Public testimony will also be heard at the Commission meeting on Aug. 1 in Salem.